Preparing Student Nurses for the Future of Wound Management: Telemedicine in a Simulated Learning Enviroment

Background: The Danish Society for Wound Healing advocates for the use of telemedicine in chronic wound management. It is crucial that student nurses are prepared for the technological demands of the future so that they will be competent to manage chronic wounds. Aim: The aim of this project was to integrate the concept of telemedicine for wound care into a simulation-based class for undergraduate student nurses and to evaluate their experiences with this integrated learning method. Methods: Five medium-fidelity mannequins were used in a simulated learning environment consisting of a simulated laboratory and a simulated wound clinic. A primitive electronic platform was used to allow the students to experience the benefits and challenges of telemedicine in wound care. At the end of the course, the students were asked to evaluate the course based on their experiences with telemedicine and simulation. Findings: Students found the concept of telemedicine relevant and enjoyable, and the challenges and benefits of telemedicine clearly emerged in the simulated learning environment. Conclusions: Based on student evaluations and the need to prepare students for “real-life” telemedicine for wound management, the simulated learning environment seems to be a constructive didactic method. The simulated learning environment should also be tested with postgraduate nurses with less experience in telemedicine.