(107) Impact of a Virtual Patient Simulation on Nursing Students' Attitudes Caring for Transgender Patients

Abstract :

Background: Increasing attention has been given to the healthcare needs of transgender men and women. Transgender is associated with varied identity and gender presentations but generally refers to individuals that live their daily lives as the gender opposite to the gender they were assigned at birth (Billard, 2018). While attitudes are shifting toward affirmation, studies demonstrate considerable prejudice toward transgender individuals continues to exist (Kanamori et al, 2021; Nagoshi et al, 2008; Norton and Herek, 2012), creating barriers to healthcare (Arthur et al, 2021; Rowan et al, 2019).

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a virtual patient simulation scenario of caring for a transgender adult on nursing students’ attitudes and beliefs about transgender people.

Methods: A validated 29-item instrument developed to assess an individual’s view of transgender identity was administered in a pretest-posttest nonequivalent groups design to junior and senior level nursing students.

Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the control and treatment groups for the subscale human value.

Conclusions: Findings support experiential learning in nursing as an effective tool in teaching cultural competence and sensitivity when caring for transgender patients. Attitudes and beliefs of senior nursing students and junior nursing students toward transgender individuals differed, with senior students being more receptive.