Examination of the simulation training effect on nursing students for approaching to the patients suffering from bipolar disorder

The study had been conducted as a randomized controlled and experimental study in order to determine the effect of the simulation method with the participation of standard patient towards the patients suffering from bipolar disorder for the education of the psychiatry nursing students. At the initial stage of the study, the Fear and Behaviour Intent Scale was adopted into Turkish. The Student Information Form, FABI, IBDO, STAI, HKKVO, OEY and Simulation Assessment Form were used in the study. The study was performed among 250 students (first stage of the study) from the Department of Nursing of the Faculty of Health Sciences in Necmettin Erbakan University and 74 students (second stage of the study) from Ankara Yıldızrım Beyazıt University, the Department of Nursing. In the assessment of the study data the variance analyse, t-test, percentage, ki square tests were used in repeating measurements. According to the findings of the study, for the approach of nursing students towards the patients suffering from the bipolar disorder, the simulation training with standard patient indicated that the fear and behaviour intents of the students against individuals with mental disorders affected a significant difference between their general average points, STAI-I, STAI-II and IBDO averages with reference to the control and trial groups in addition to the measurements (p<0.001). According to the results, it was found that the simulation trainings with standard patients are effective for the development of positive attitudes and behaviours in the students' fear and behaviour intents, communication skills and reduction of their level of anxiety. The simulation trainings are recommended to be increased in the education for the psychiatry nursing education.