Impact of a Simulation on Nursing Students' Attitudes Toward Schizophrenia

Background: Individuals with schizophrenia experience disparities in health based in part on negative perceptions of nurses. Attitudes and behaviors toward schizophrenia may improve when opportunities for interaction are increased. Method: This study compared the impact of a novel two-part simulation with a traditional didactic and clinical experience (N = 145). Measures included empathy, attitude, and intention of undergraduate student nurses toward individuals with schizophrenia. Analysis included testing for differences between control and intervention. Results: Treatment group had significantly lower negative perceptions with no significant change in empathy. Conclusions: Providing students opportunities to gain real or simulated experience with clients with schizophrenia may reduce negative perceptions. (C) 2015 International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.