Scenario Validation for Opioid Use Disorder Stigma-Related Nursing Simulations

BackgroundSix high-fidelity simulations were developed to promote empathetic, evidence-based care devoid of stigma for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). Study aim was to validate simulation scenario and content for accuracy and clinical relevance.MethodSimulations were video recorded in August 2022 for content validation. Expert assessment was conducted in September 2022 via focus groups using videoconferencing.ResultsA panel of OUD experts that included healthcare providers (n = 10), who were also nurse educators (n = 5) or family members affected by OUD (n = 1), validated simulation content. Thematic analysis identified themes: (a) strategies for enhancing realism, (b) recognition for diverse patients, (c) additional cueing to generate empathetic responses, (d) refining cueing to focus on stigma, (e) recognizing OUD as a chronic illness, (f) novel approach to standardized patients, and (g) limitations of mannequins.ConclusionEvaluation of simulations provided content validation increasing the potential effectiveness of the simulations to achieve desired learning outcomes.