Effects of a Clinical Simulation-Based Training Program forNursing Students to Address Social Isolation and Loneliness inthe Elderly: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: The population of older adults is rapidly increasing worldwide, presentingboth prospects and complexities for society and healthcare professionals to maximize the functionalcapacity of this age group. Social isolation and loneliness significantly affect this population. Theobjective was to determine the effectiveness, satisfaction, and perceptions of the simulation-basededucation practices of a training program for nursing students, which was created to palliate thesocial isolation and loneliness of older adults. Method: A quasi-experimental study was conductedwith nursing students who participated in an online training program using teleservice based on high-fidelity clinical simulation. The program included asynchronous theoretical training and synchronouspractical training using an online platform. Five scenarios were designed using simulated phonecalls to address the social isolation and loneliness of older adults. Results: Twenty-five nursingstudents participated in the program, and they had a mean age of 27.44, with 76% of them beingwomen. After the training program, the participants showed statistically significant improvements(p< 0.05) with respect to their knowledge and attitudes towards older adults, and the programwas adapted to the best educational practices in simulations. Conclusions: Simulation-based onlinetraining efficiently improved the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students towards older adults,improving their ability to address social isolation and loneliness. The high satisfaction and adhesion tothe best educational practices underline the usefulness of high-fidelity online simulations, especiallyin situations in which face-to-face training is not feasible, and accessibility and equilibrium could beguaranteed between work and personal life.