The role of simulation in oncology nursing: A systematic review

Abstract

Aim(s): This study aims to evaluate the impact of simulation-based learning on improving clinical skills, decision-making, confidence and critical thinking among nurses in the oncology setting compared with traditional teaching methods.

Background: The global oncology nursing workforce, estimated at approximately 28 million nurses, remains insufficient to meet the growing demands of cancer care worldwide. Simulation-based training offers a promising approach to enhancing competencies in clinical skills, decision-making and communication for nurses. However, there is limited research on best practices for simulation in oncology nursing.

Design: A systematic review was conducted guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) and Synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines.

Methods: The search initially found 135 articles, a total of 15 studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in the review.

Data sources: Our findings demonstrated a significant improvement in pain management knowledge, with mean scores rising from 32.15 in the control group to 50.84 in the simulation group. Communication skills training enhanced truth-telling confidence by a mean difference of 16.86, while tele-health simulation increased competence scores, with a mean improvement to 22.64.

Conclusion: Our findings highlight the effectiveness of simulation in improving knowledge, clinical skills and confidence, supporting its integration into nursing education and professional development programs.