The effect of breast self-examination training on nursing students by using hybrid-based simulation on knowledge, skills, and ability to correctly evaluate pathological findings: Randomized Controlled Study

Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of hybrid simulation-based training and classical-based training with the Miller pyramids' ability to evaluate students' knowledge, skills and pathologies in breast self-examination. Background: Breast cancer incidence is becoming more common among women in developed and developing countries. Nurses should be capable of evaluating breast self-examination knowledge, abilities and pathologies. Method: A randomized full experimental design was used. Two groups were formed: a hybrid simulation-based training group (n = 36) and a classical-based training group (n = 36)-students in the hybrid simulation-based group trained on a standardized patient with a wearable breast attachment. The classical-based training group received training on the breast model. The laboratory performance of the students was evaluated one week after the training. Their performance on the standardized patient was evaluated against the checklist in the clinical setting one week after the laboratory. Before and after the training, each student's knowledge of basic and Application steps was evaluated. Students completed the self-description form regarding the clinical process after the clinical performance. All participants received 60 min of theoretical and 60 min of demonstration training. While the students in the hybrid simulation-based training group completed the 55-minute simulation training, the students in the Classic-based training group practised on the desktop breast model for 10 min. The hybrid simulation-based training group received 175 min of total training time, whereas the classical-based training group received 130 min. Results: Compared with classical-based training, teaching BSE with hybrid simulation-based training raised students' total knowledge score, application step score, skill score and pathological evaluation score (p < 0.05). Students who trained using hybrid simulation-based training experienced low levels of anxiety but increased levels of excitement and motivation (p < 0.05). The education and counselling scores of students who received hybrid simulation-based simulation training were higher than those who received classical-based training (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups' BSE mean pre-test basic knowledge scores (p = 0.186). BSE mean application steps knowledge scores difference (pre-test-post-test) of the groups was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001) Conclusion: The ability to accurately evaluate breast self-examination on knowledge, skills and pathological findings of students in the hybrid simulation-based training group was higher than in the classical-based training group. Besides, the students' perceived communication, education and counselling efficiency in the hybrid simulation-based training group were higher compared with the classical-based training group.