Effectiveness of highand medium-fidelity simulation in nursing education: randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: to compare the effectiveness of highand medium-fidelity clinical simulation on nursing students' knowledge and clinical skills for pressure injury assessment and treatment.

Methods: assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. Thirty-two nursing students were assigned to an experimental group (n=17) or a control group (n=15). The intervention comprised a theoretical component and a simulation-high fidelity for the experimental group and medium fidelity for the control group. Data were collected with a sociodemographic questionnaire, a theoretical test, a skills checklist, and a Debriefing Assessment Scale. Statistical analysis included the chi-square test, the Mann-Whitney U test, ANOVA, and effect size, at a 5% significance level (α=0.05).

Results: both groups showed significant improvement in theoretical knowledge (p<0.05). The groups did not differ significantly in skills (p=0.853). The debriefing experience was positive and similar in both groups.

Conclusions: simulation improved knowledge and skills, with no differences by simulation fidelity level.