Effect of a Newborn Simulator's Fidelity on Nursing Students' Level of Engagement in a Clinical Lactation Encounter

This is a randomized cluster design intervention. Assuming an enrollment ratio of 1, alpha of 0.05, beta of 0.2, investigators will recruit at least 8 students per arm with 16 students in the NORALSim arm and 16 students low-fidelity newborn simulator arm. A random number generator will be used to assign students to a study ID number (1-32). Students will be randomly assigned to a group of four a priori by assigning each student a number between 1 and 4. Three mock patients will be randomized a priori to minimize the confounding effect of a mock patient's acting abilities. Approximate start times are as follows: Groups 1 and 2 will begin at 8:30AM, Groups 3 and 4 will begin at 10AM, Groups 5 and 6 will begin at 1pm, and groups 7 and 8 will begin at 2:30pm. Investigators will alternate the order of the low-fidelity simulators (Lactessa or NeoNatalie) and randomize that order a priori such that 8 students (2 groups) will interact with the Lactessa and another 8 students (2 groups) will interact with Neonatalie.

In Period 1, one group will begin a simulated session with the NORALSim and the second group will begin with either the Mother's Own Milk Lactessa or Laerdal NeoNatalie, depending on the study date. Baseline level of breastfeeding experience and clinical lactation skills self-efficacy will be collected. Nursing students will teach a mock patient wearing the LSM and holding a newborn simulator how to position and attach the newborn at the breast and identify effective breastfeeding by differentiating between suckling patterns. In Period 2, each group will crossover to complete the same session with a different newborn simulator. After Period 1, each group will debrief to discuss their performance and engagement and use a Qualtrics survey (6-point Likert scale) to rate satisfaction, engagement, simulator fidelity, and self-efficacy. The same quantitative and qualitative data collection protocol will follow Period 2. All study activities will be audio-video recorded. JHU investigators will view the recorded encounters and assign a performance score using a skills checklist and global performance rating scale. Within a month, students will view their clinical encounters recording and complete a self-reflection to describe moments of engagement or disengagement. Students will also report any breastfeeding experience obtained since the intervention, score their performance, and complete the self-efficacy survey.