The Effect of Simulation Teaching Technique on the Improvement of Episiotomy Performance Skills and State Anxiety of Midwifery Students in Turkey: RCT

Abstract

Background: Several methods have been developed to improve the episiotomy skills of midwifery students. This study was conducted to determine the effect of episiotomy simulation training on the episiotomy skills of midwifery students and their state anxiety levels. Methods: This study is a quasi-experimental randomized controlled trial. Its sample consisted of 68 third-year students in the midwifery department of a university in Turkey. The students were randomly divided into experimental (34) and control (34) groups. The study data were collected using a sociodemographic information form, the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Episiotomy Skill Assessment Form. All the data collection tools were administered during the fall semester of 2018-2019. Results: After the delivery room practice, the simulation group had significantly higher Episiotomy Skill Assessment Form scores (p < .05). The simulation did not affect state anxiety, and the students experienced mild anxiety. Conclusion: The episiotomy skill performance of the students in the episiotomy suture simulation group was significantly higher than that of the control group, but the use of simulation did not reduce the students' state anxiety. (C) 2021 International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.