The Effects of Simulation on Knowledge and Self-efficacy of Nurses and Midwives in Preeclamptic Pregnancy Care Education

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of simulation training in nurses and midwives on knowledge and self-efficacy regarding preeclamptic pregnancy care.

It is an important step in providing safe care to patients, as a learning environment is provided in which environmental risks are minimized with simulation applications. Simulation-based trainings are environments that allow each student to learn, equitable, based on adult learning principles, and open to different learning styles. The interests and needs in these environments are defined together by the learner and the educator. By keeping the experiences of the learner at the forefront, the opportunity is given to learn by doing and supported with feedback.

Preeclampsia is clinically defined as a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or above after the 20th week of pregnancy and the addition of proteinuria (300mg / 24 hours). It can develop in about 5-10% of all pregnancies. It is defined as a nulliparous disease since it is seen in approximately 85% of women during their first pregnancy. Preeclampsia constitutes 15% of the causes of maternal mortality in our country.

In studies evaluating the effectiveness of simulation training in planning the follow-up and care of preeclampsia, it was determined that this method increases the knowledge and self-confidence of nurses. For example; Christian and Krumwiede's study they found that the self-efficacy rates were significantly higher in the post-simulation test. In his study, Olubumno investigated the importance of simulation in increasing the critical thinking of perinatology nurses in the care of preeclamptic pregnant women, he found that the pre-test and post-test scores increased by 0.75 points, and this difference between the scores is statistically significant. Tabatabaeian et al., In their study comparing the effects of simulation-based education, coeducation and theoretical education on the performance of midwives in preeclampsia and eclampsia, found that the mean of the simulation group was higher than the other two groups.

Preeclampsia is an important obstetric emergency in women's health and disease nursing. Thus, when they start working in the clinic, it is aimed to be able to suspect preeclampsia with the anamnesis they received from the pregnant who applied to them, and to gain them with the simulation method what they should pay attention to and how to do in the follow-up of the pregnant woman hospitalized with the diagnosis of preeclampsia. Studies conducted in our country did not include studies involving students and healthcare professionals in the management of preeclampsia with simulation methods. Therefore, it is aimed to contribute to the literature with this study.