Scenario-Based Hybrid Simulation for Patient Education in Assisted Reproductive Treatment

Participants will receive six weeks of structured theoretical and video-based education followed by two scenario-based hybrid simulation sessions conducted four weeks apart. The simulations will involve a standardized female patient, a standardized male partner, and an injection model. Students will provide education regarding assisted reproductive treatment, gonadotropin medication administration, and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Participants will receive six weeks of structured theoretical and video-based education on assisted reproductive technologies and nursing, followed by two scenario-based hybrid simulation sessions conducted four weeks apart. Each simulation will involve a standardized female patient, a standardized male partner, and an injection model. Students will provide education on assisted reproductive treatment stages, the role of the male partner, gonadotropin medication administration, and risk factors and signs and symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Each simulation will be followed by a structured debriefing session.

Change in students' knowledge regarding assisted reproductive technologies, assessed using the researcher-developed Assisted Reproductive Technologies Knowledge Test. The knowledge test was developed by the researchers based on the relevant literature and study objectives. The content validity of the test was evaluated through expert review, and a preliminary application was conducted with students from a different group who were not included in the main study. Item difficulty analyses were performed based on the preliminary application to evaluate the appropriateness and discriminatory characteristics of the test items. Higher scores indicate a higher level of knowledge regarding assisted reproductive technologies.

Effective communication skills will be assessed at T0, T1, T2, and T3 using the Effective Communication Skills Scale. The scale consists of 34 items and five subdimensions: ego-enhancing language, active listening, self-awareness/self-disclosure, empathy, and use of "I" language. It uses a 5-point Likert-type response format, with higher scores indicating better effective communication skills.Cronbach alfa value is 0.93 for the full scale, and 0.85, 0.90, 0.78, 0.91, and 0.53 for the Ego Supportive Language, Active-Participative Listening, Self-recognition/Self-disclosure, Empathy, and I-language sub-dimensions, respectively.

Anxiety will be assessed at T0, T1, T2, and T3 using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The STAI is a 40-item self-report instrument consisting of two subscales: State Anxiety and Trait Anxiety, with 20 items in each subscale. Items are rated on a 4-point response scale. Higher scores indicate higher levels of anxiety. The Turkish version of the STAI has been adapted and validated for use in Turkish populations. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were reported as 0.92 for state anxiety and 0.87 for trait anxiety.

Self-efficacy will be assessed at T0, T1, T2, and T3 using the Student Self-Efficacy Scale. The scale consists of 10 items and has a single-factor structure. It is a self-report measure developed to assess students' perceived self-efficacy. Higher scores indicate higher levels of self-efficacy. The Turkish version of the scale has demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability among undergraduate nursing students.The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.81, while corrected item-total correlations ranged from 0.45 to 0.56.

Simulation skill performance will be assessed during the first and second simulation sessions (T2 and T3) using the researcher-developed Skill Assessment Form. The form was developed based on the study objectives and relevant literature, and its content was evaluated through expert review. The form evaluates students' performance in communicating with the female patient and male partner, explaining the stages of assisted reproductive treatment and the role of the male partner, preparing and administering gonadotropin medication, and providing education on medication administration. Higher scores indicate better performance.