The Impact of Virtual Simulation on Empathy in Undergraduate Nursing Students

Background: Empathy is essential to effective patient-nurse relationships and decision making in nursing care. This study aimed to explore the use of virtual simulation to promote empathy and the relationship between empathy and attitude in nursing students. Methods: Randomized pre-test and post-test control group design was employed. Results: The participants who experienced the text-based case study or virtual simulation self-reported significantly increased empathy after the activity, but no differences between the groups. Meanwhile, more negative attitudes toward substance overuse correlated with a lower level of empathy toward affected patients. Conclusion: Both text-based case study and virtual simulation are effective to promote empathy.