Does Learning Style Influence Student Anxiety During a Human Patient Simulation Experience?

Abstract

Human patient simulation (HPS) is becoming increasingly popular in nursing education. HPS learning activities can enhance the development of critical thinking, clinical judgment, and decision in an environment that poses no risk to patients. Many studies have been conducted examining the student experience during HPS events and student anxiety has been identified as a challenge. A quantitative correlation design was used to gain an understanding of the relationship between learning style and student anxiety during an HPS event. Thirty nine students completed the Index of Learning Styles Inventory, and wore portable heart rate monitors during an HPS event. There was a statistically significant change in HR from the resting HR during the role assignment, hands-on care and debriefing phases of the HPS event. However, there was no statistically significant relationship between learning style and student anxiety during the HPS experience.