Review of a pilot study, introducing Lab Tutor™ software to final year nursing students (n=95) with the aim of improving their simulated learning experience

Background
Online simulation provides an alternative approach to hands-on simulation and a number of software packages are becoming available to educators. Lab Tutor™ is an online, immersive learning platform, which aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, by using real patient case studies along with interactive exercises. We introduced Lab Tutor™ software as an integral part of our year 3 clinical skills module, alongside the use of the SimMan 3G Advanced Human Patient Simulator (AHPS), with the aim of providing students with a more immersive simulation experience.

Methodology
We introduced LabTutor™ to final year nursing students at the beginning of an 11-week clinical skills module. On completion of the module we evaluated the use of the software and whether the students considered that using the interactive software improved their knowledge of disease processes and management of patients.

Results
We will present the evaluation results from this pilot study. However, early feedback from students indicates that the introduction of LabTutor™ improved understanding of disease processes as well as their management. We are also in the process of developing a number of patient scenarios, using existing LabTutor™ patients, for use on the SimMan 3G AHPS. We also hope to present the early outcomes of this development.