Simulating Dialysis : Concept Evaluation of a PC Training Simulator for Nurses

Sammanfattning: Nurses at a haemodialysis clinic are required to handle complex technological equipment in a stressful environment, with the patients’ lives at risk. A training needs analysis (TNA) that was made at Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge in 2010 identifies the nurses’ need to practice alarm situations in the safe environment of a computer-based training simulator. This project builds on the conclusions of the TNA and the aim is to evaluate the concept of a training simulator by developing and evaluating a prototype program. The simulation model used is the prototype is based on a problem solving approach with virtual patient scenarios. During the entire development process continuous input has been gathered from nurses who work with dialysis. The project was completed by structured user test focusing on evaluating the usability and realism of the prototype. The conclusion of the project is that nurses working with dialysis need to practice alarm situations and that a training simulator could meet this need. The report is written in English.