Effects of a simulation-based blended training model on nurses' treatment decision-related knowledge about oral cancer in Taiwan: A pilot survey

The present studyaimed to evaluate the effectsof VR simulationscombined with bedside assignmentson nurses' self-efficacy in providing pre-treatment educational services.Between March 2019 and November 2020, weconducted a study ofVR educational materials that were developed to cover information about the treatment of oral cancers. The effects of the VR simulation, the thinking-path tracking map method, and bedside assignments on the nurses?treatment decision-related knowledge were evaluatedin a ward for oral cancer patientsatTaipeiVeterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.Theblended training model significantly increased nurses'familiarity(P<0.01) and confidence(P<0.03)regarding their knowledge of treatments and treatment decision-related knowledge. This model also significantly increased their confidence in their skills in bedside pre-treatment education for admitted oral cancer patients (P<0.002). Oral cancer-specific VR materials enhanced the effectiveness of skills training among nurses in the oral cancer ward.