Comparing the impact of PASS-BAR handoff education for new nurses between simulation-based and case-based approaches: A quasi-experimental design

Aim: To develop a patient, assessment, situation, safety concerns, background, action, recommendation (PASSBAR) handoff training program and compare the educational effects of the program between simulation-based (experimental group) and case-based (control group) groups using repeated measures among new nurses. Background: New nurses are not well prepared to provide clear handoff reports because nursing schools and healthcare institutions rarely offer structured programs or training for handoff communication practices. Design: This study used a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design with repeated measures with two nonrandomized groups. Methods: This study targeted new nurses with less than 12 months of experience and was conducted at a university hospital's clinical nursing education center in Seoul, South Korea, between September 2022 and April 2023. Seventeen participants were allocated to the experimental group and 17 participants to the control group. Both groups were given lectures and exercises for both scenarios. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire on nursing handoff competency, handover performance competency and perceived self-efficacy of handoff at pre- and posttest and two weeks after training. Satisfaction with learning was measured after the intervention. Results: We developed a simulation-based learning handoff program that includes a simulated handoff performance and debriefing and a case-based learning handoff program that includes discussion, handoff performance and feedback. This study found no immediate difference in the educational effect of PASS-BAR handoff training between simulation-based learning and case-based learning; however, over time, simulation-based learning was more effective than case-based learning in improving nursing handoff competency and handover performance competency. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, a simulation-based handoff training program using PASS-BAR can enhance handoff competencies and help new nurses strengthen their communication skills to understand patients and convey important information. Tweetable Abstract: Developing a simulation-based handoff training program using PASS-BAR helps nurses strengthen their communication skills with colleagues.