High-fidelity simulation for the education of nursing students: a scoping review of the literature.

Background: High-fidelity simulation can be defined as a technique to refine specific human performance in a protected environment, and thanks to the innovation of technologies it has been possible to obtain increasingly realistic performances. The aim of this study is to map and describe the effects of training through a high-fidelity simulation method on the technical and non-technical skills of nursing students in an emergency setting.

Methods: A scoping review was chosen as research methodology within some main databases of biomedical interest: MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Academic Search Index, Science Citation Index and ERIC.

Results: 530 articles were selected. Of these, 21 met the inclusion criteria and underwent the review process. Participants undergoing the intervention demonstrated better skills than the control group when subjected to a simulation based on realistic scenarios. The selected articles can be divided into two categories: those that focus essentially on non-technical skills and those that study only technical skills.

Conclusion: Evidence suggests that HFS should include feedback, briefing and debriefing; it should be applied in every area of nursing education; student self-efficacy, confidence and competence are key principles to consider when measuring the effect of a simulation environment.