Nursing undergraduates’ experiences of a simulation-centred educational program in hospice care in Macao: A qualitative research

Objectives: The study aimed to explore the experiences of nursing undergraduates participating in a simulation-centred educational program in hospice care in Macao, China. Methods: This descriptive qualitative study was based on the data collected through semi-structured individual interviews. Seventeen nursing undergraduates in Macao, China who attended the simulation-centred program in hospice care participated in this qualitative from November to December 2020. This program included three parts: introduction to hospice care (2 h), management of terminal symptoms (10 h), and hospice situation simulations (6 h). The interview data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: This study revealed two themes and six sub-themes. Theme 1 was developing competencies in caring for dying patients and their families, which included four subcategories of sensitivity to patients’ needs, knowledge of hospice care, skills of symptom control and comfort supply, and communication skills. Theme 2 was improving the ability to self-care and support colleagues, which included two subcategories of reflection on life and death and sharing and supporting among colleagues. Conclusion: This program improved the competency of nursing undergraduates in hospice care and participants’ learning experience was good.