Comparison of Learning Outcomes Between Active Participants and Observer Roles in Simulation-Based Learning

Background: The educational impact of observation compared to active participation in simulation based learning remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare knowledge, clinical reasoning skills, and learning flow between active participants and observers in a nursing simulation experience.Methods: This study was a parallel randomized trial of two groups. Nursing students were randomly assigned to active participant (n = 37) and observer (n = 32) groups. Knowledge, clinical reasoning skills, and learning flow were measured before and after the simulation. Results: Both groups showed improved knowledge, clinical reasoning skills, and learning flow after simulation-based learning, with no pre-test-post-test differences in the three outcomes between the groups. Conclusions: Observers showed similar improvements in learning outcomes compared to active participants in a simulated learning experience. Further studies are needed to identify the effects of reflective observation on performance acquisition and retention.Cite this article: Ham, Y.S., Park, Y.M. & Roh, Y.S. (2024, Month). Comparison of Learning Outcomes Between Active Participants and Observer Roles in Simulation-Based Learning. Clinical Simulation in Nursing , 87, 101497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2023.101497 .(c) 2023 International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.