Low VS High-fidelity Interprofessional Simulation for ABG Skills Acquisition

Effectiveness of Low-fidelity Versus High-fidelity Interprofessional Simulation on the Acquisition of Theoretical and Practical Knowledge of Arterial Blood Gas Testing: a Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized clinical trial will evaluate the effectiveness of an interprofessional simulation intervention for medical and nursing students.

The primary aim is to compare the effectiveness of high-fidelity versus low-fidelity interprofessional simulation in improving knowledge and skills related to the ABG test. The hypothesis is that participants in the high-fidelity interprofessional simulation group will develop better knowledge and skills for ABG testing compared to those in the low-fidelity group.

The secondary aims are to evaluate the effectiveness of high-fidelity interprofessional simulation compared to low-fidelity interprofessional simulation in (i) enhancing self-efficacy and self-confidence in learning, and (ii) improving interprofessional education and satisfaction with the simulation experience. It is hypothesized that participants in the high-fidelity interprofessional simulation group will report higher levels of self-efficacy, self-confidence, interprofessional education, and satisfaction with the learning experience post-intervention compared to those in the low-fidelity interprofessional simulation group.

The key questions it seeks to address are:

1. Does high-fidelity interprofessional simulation help in developing better technical skills for ABG testing?
2. Does high-fidelity interprofessional simulation lead to greater self-efficacy and self-confidence?
3. Does high-fidelity interprofessional simulation lead to greater satisfaction with the experience, readiness for interprofessional simulation, and better perceptions of interprofessional education?

The researchers will compare high-fidelity interprofessional simulation (immersive medical training room with an actor) to low-fidelity interprofessional simulation (a structured clinical case analysis) to assess whether high-fidelity simulation effectively enhances knowledge and skills on arterial blood gas tests, as well as interprofessional collaboration and attitudes.

Participants will:

• Attend brief interactive lessons on the principles, technique, and interpretation of arterial blood gas tests.
• Participate in a series of clinical-based interprofessional simulation scenarios delivered in low- or high-fidelity.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Self Efficacy; Interprofessional Relations
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: High-fidelity interprofessional simulation; Other: Low-fidelity interprofessional simulation

Detailed Description

After randomization, participants will be assigned sequentially into ten groups to form five high-fidelity interprofessional simulation groups and five low-fidelity interprofessional simulation groups. Each group will consist of six students, including three medical students and three nursing students.

Students will be asked to review and sign the informed consent form to confirm their participation in the study.

Participants will be asked to complete the baseline assessment by completing a questionnaire set. They will be subjected to a brief educational video covering the definition and purpose of the ABG test, the diagnostic and clinical rationale for conducting it, and the technique, including patient assessment, required equipment, factors to consider before performing the procedure, questions to ask the patient, identification of the puncture site, sampling steps, and proper disposal of materials. Additionally, a brief interpretation of ABG test results will be provided, focusing on pH values, carbon dioxide levels, and bicarbonate levels to identify the four main diagnoses: respiratory acidosis, metabolic acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, and metabolic alkalosis.

At the end of the video presentation, participants will be informed about which group they have been assigned to.

During the simulation activities, two independent observers will assess the performance of participants.

At the end of the simulation activities, all students from both groups will be taken separately to designated plenary rooms, where a member of the research team will conduct a debriefing session.

At the conclusion of the debriefing session, each participant will be asked to complete a set of questionnaires.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 36
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Savino Sciascia, MD; PhD; Phone Number: +39 0112402051; Email: savino.sciascia@unito.it
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Alessio Conti, RN; PhD; Phone Number: +39 0116705823; Email: alessio.conti@unito.it

Study Locations

• Italy
  • Torino
    • Orbassano, Torino, Italy, 10043
      • University of Torino - Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences
      • Contact: Savino Sciascia, MD;PhD; Phone Number: +390112402051; Email: savino.sciascia@unito.it
      • Sub-Investigator: Massimo Radin, MD; PhD
      • Sub-Investigator: Irene Cecchi, MD; PhD
      • Sub-Investigator: Alessio Conti, RN; PhD
      • Sub-Investigator: Alice Barinotti, Dr; PhD Can
      • Sub-Investigator: Silvia Gr Foddai, MD; PhD Can
      • Sub-Investigator: Lois Ira Manuit Capulong, Dr

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Early-career students (First-year Nursing Bachelor's Degree; second-year Medicine & Surgery Degree)
• Regularly enrolled in their courses (attended at least 70% of classes)
• Proficient in English (reading and speaking)
• Aged 18 years or older

Exclusion Criteria:

• Students who have previously taken classes on arterial blood gas sampling
• Those who have prior work experience as healthcare professionals (e.g., laboratory technicians, phlebotomists)
• Students who have previously experience in interprofessional learning activities
• Students who have previously experience in the simulation center

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Intervention Group - High-fidelity interprofessional simulation; The interprofessional simulation activity will be conducted in the immersive medical training room. ABG will be performed on a arm simulator. The patient will be personified by an actor with a medical background following a script. A maximum of 10 minutes will be given to address each case.	Other: High-fidelity interprofessional simulation; Students will participate in realistic (high-fidelity) interprofessional simulation scenarios to practice and interpret ABG procedures.
Active Comparator: Control Group - Low-fidelity interprofessional simulation; This interprofessional simulation activity will be conducted in a room that will be equipped with tables and chairs. The same clinical cases will be provided using printed documents and clinical charts. A time of 10 minutes will be given to address each case.	Other: Low-fidelity interprofessional simulation; Students will take part in low-fidelity interprofessional simulation scenarios. Cases will be discussed, and reflection on ABG execution and interpretation will be guided using paper descriptions and clinical files.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Evaluation of Knowledge and Practices during the simulation	Purposefully Developed 6-item Checklist	10 minutes - During the simulation scenarios

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
General Self Efficacy Scale - GSE	A 10-item questionnaire assessing the level of self-efficacy	10 minutes Pre-intervention and post-intervention
Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning - SCLS	A 13-item questionnaire assessing the self-confidence acquired in learning	Post-intervention
Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale - IEPS	A 18-item questionnaire targeted at evaluating the perception of interprofessional education	10 minutes Pre-intervention and post-intervention
Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale - RIPLS	A 19-item questionnaire targeted at evaluating the readiness for interprofessional education	10 minutes Pre-intervention and post-intervention
Satisfaction with simulation experience - SSE	A 18-item questionnaire to assess the perceived satisfaction with simulation	Post-intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Turin, Italy
• Collaborators: Fondazione CRT, Torino

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 27, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 8, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): July 9, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): December 8, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 5, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Self-efficacy; Simulation; Interprofessional education; Knowledge acquisition; Arterial Blood Gas test
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavior
• Other Study ID Numbers: INTSIM_GB_UNITO_01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Due to ethical restrictions. Aggregated data will be available from the responsible upon reasonable request.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No