Telemedicine: Combining technology and active learning pedagogy to create an immersive and authentic experience

Abstract

Telemedicine is growing in use as a contemporary approach to healthcare. We developed a five-part simulated placement series for students using Artificial Intelligence, Microsoft
Systems, and active learning pedagogy. Centred around a fictional family tree, the series includes telemedicine calls, community consultations, an immersive session and a moot
court, offering an authentic simulated experience. Students explore patient histories and develop digital literacy while reinforcing core skills such as communication, assessment,
care planning, and empathy. The evolving family narrative helps students understand the lived experience of care and supports the development of autonomous practice in line with NMC (2018) standards.

Summary:
Current literature suggests that digital literacy is poor within nursing students NHS England (2023) and WHO (2021a) emphasize the importance of digital literacy in nursing as part of workforce plans. Supporting students’ digital development can empower both their academic & practice growth, furthering their preparation for registration. Integrating the use of technology into an authentic simulated experience could enhance the ongoing development of nursing skill within the students. Digital literacy measures are consistently lower within nursing in comparison to other healthcare practitioners (Adynlar et al., 2024; Martzoukou et al., 2022). Lokmic-Tomkins et al., (2022) advocates a multi-dimensional approach to developing digital literacy & Erdat et al., (2023) advocate developing digital literacy through lived experience. Gillaspy & Vasilica (2021) demonstrates that a heutagogical learning design can enhance the development of the digital self-determined nurse. We have incorporated these values throughout our programme, whilst utilising the benefits simulation-based education offers (Saragih, et al., 2024) to develop a robust educational experience for student nurses.

Telemedicine is growing in use as a contemporary approach to healthcare. Therefore, my colleagues & I were asked to develop a simulated session for nursing students using Telemedicine to prepare our learners for the future workforce. We utilised AI, Microsoft systems and active learning pedagogy to create an immersive & authentic experience by creating a family tree. The simulated patients developed into rich stories. This led to the total development of a 5-session series within a simulated placement. The telemedicine series allows students to explore patient histories, engage in telemedicine calls, community consultation, an immersive experience and a moot court.

The use of simulation is an accepted & promoted form of learning within nursing education & has been increasingly recognised as a form of practice education by the NMC (NMC, 2023). Weeks & Buchanan (2023) found that simulated experiences can increase active learning, autonomy & reflection on practice. A systematic review found that scenario-based simulation can increase nursing students’ clinical knowledge, practical skill & self-confidence in learning (Saragih et al., 2024). Our sessions aim to provide an authentic practice experience within a simulated setting. They aim to develop students' digital literacy whilst reaffirming fundamental nursing skills such as communication, assessment, care planning, empathy & begin to introduce more autonomous working to year 2 students in line with NMC standards of proficiency. The series allows students to gain insight into the lived experience of a family of patients and participate in the evolving healthcare journey. This builds on previous theoretical and simulation experiences in order to consolidate knowledge and skills to support the early development of autonomous nursing practice. An ongoing research project aims to evaluate the impact of this series of sessions, with consideration of several themes: creating an authentic experience within a simulated setting, developing digital literacy and ongoing development of nursing skills. A pre & post session survey has undergone data collection and awaiting analysis. Our presentation aims to disseminate knowledge gained from this session development and to share positive
practices to further improve future patient care.