Developing Disability Awareness, Attitude, and Empathy in Nursing Students

Summary

Abstract

Individuals with disabilities frequently face barriers to accessing healthcare services due to physical, social, economic, and policy-related factors. As essential members of the healthcare workforce, nurses play a critical role in addressing these inequities. Previous studies focusing on disability awareness, attitudes, and empathy highlight the need for high-quality research employing mixed-method, simulation-based interventions aimed at enhancing awareness and empathy, fostering positive attitudes, and supporting learning outcomes. However, the existing literature lacks studies that simultaneously compare different simulation methods and comprehensively evaluate awareness, attitudes, and empathy using a multidimensional approach.

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of simulation-based interventions-standardized patient encounters and virtual reality training-in improving nursing students' awareness, strengthening positive attitudes, and increasing sensitivity in the delivery of healthcare services to individuals with disabilities. The findings are expected to support the integration and expansion of disability-focused simulation practices in nursing curricula and contribute to the development of evidence-based nursing education programs.

Keywords: nursing students; disability; attitude; simulation; virtual reality

Conditions

• Simulation Training
• Students, Nursing
• Attitude
• Empathy Skills
• Disabled People
• Awareness and Knowledge Level

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Disability Awareness Education

Participants will receive Disability Awareness Training delivered through face-to-face instruction. The training will cover core topics including the concept of disability, physical, social, and attitudinal barriers experienced by individuals with disabilities, challenges related to accessing healthcare services, and the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals in providing inclusive and equitable care. The intervention will be delivered using standardized educational content, and no additional simulation-based or technology-assisted interventions will be included.

BEHAVIORAL

Virtual Reality Group

Participants assigned to the Virtual Reality Intervention group will receive a Virtual Reality-based simulation intervention following the Disability Awareness Training. The Virtual Reality intervention will provide computer-generated experience designed to simulate situations encountered by individuals with disabilities, with the aim of enhancing participants' understanding, awareness, and empathy. The simulated scenarios will focus on challenges related to daily living, interaction with the environment, and access to healthcare services. The intervention will be delivered using standardized virtual reality content during the same academic term as the Disability Awareness Training and will be followed by a structured debriefing session facilitated by the researcher. No additional interventions will be applied to this group.

BEHAVIORAL

Standart Patient Group

Participants assigned to the Standardized Patient Intervention group will receive Disability Awareness Training, followed by a Standardized Patient-based simulation intervention. During the simulation, participants will provide care to a trained standardized patient portraying an individual with a disability, in accordance with the procedures and objectives outlined in the predefined scenarios. The simulation will be conducted using standardized scenarios during the same academic term as the Disability Awareness Training and will be followed by a structured debriefing session facilitated by the researcher. No additional interventions will be applied to this group.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Baskent University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ziyafet Ugurlu, Proff.Dr. · Baskent University

• Emine Koc, Phd student · Baskent University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-09-15

Primary Completion

2026-11-30

Completion

2027-06-30