Module 4: Randomized Controlled Trial Analysis for Nursing Students

This report analyzes a randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted by Stayt et al. (2015), which investigated the impact of clinical simulation on the clinical performance of undergraduate nursing students. The study's methodology, including the use of a control and experimental group, allocation, and blinding, is examined. The report highlights the study's internal validity, the statistical analysis employed (t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test), and the significant improvement in OSCE results for the simulation-trained group. The report also discusses the applicability of the findings to clinical practice and the limitations related to the sample's geographical origin. The report assesses the RCT's validity and efficiency in improving nursing education and clinical practice, with a focus on simulation training as a means to improve competency. The report references relevant scholarly works to support the analysis and conclusions.

Running head: MODULE 4, DISCUSSION 13: RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
MODULE 4, DISCUSSION 13: RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1MODULE 4, DISCUSSION 13: RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
The randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted by Stayt et al., (2015) was chosen. The
study examined the efficiency of a clinical simulation program in the improvement of
undergraduate nursing students’ clinical performance.
According to Godin, Dhillon and Bhandari (2011), the three major criterion for
evaluation of an RCT must be centered around: validity of the trial, the results obtained from the
trial and the efficiency with which the results from the trial can be applied to professional clinical
practice.
The participants for the trial conducted by Stayt et al., (2015), were allocated randomly to
either control or experimental group with the help of a computer based software. Both assessors
as well as participants were concealed as well as blinded from allocation and interventions.
Blinding was not possible across researchers delivering the interventions. Despite complete
follow up, there is no information on learning curve or sample stratification. Despite these
limitations, the presence of allocation and blinding indicate credible validity of the results
(Godin, Dhillon & Bhandari, 2011).
Participants’ baseline characteristics (first year nursing students) were the same for each
group and were allocated randomly to control and experimental groups. Further, both groups
were evaluated with the same outcome variables like the Objective Structured Clinical
Examination (OSCE) checklist assessing objective performance (Stayt et al., 2015). These
processes indicate commendable internal validity of the trial (Godin, Dhillon & Bhandari, 2011).
The intervention group receiving simulation training generated significantly higher OSCE results
as compared to the control group. Valid statistical analysis using variables of t-test and
significance defined by Mann–Whitney U-test was conducted resulting in the researchers

2MODULE 4, DISCUSSION 13: RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
accepting the hypothesis. The results can be applied in clinical practice since educational
institutions and healthcare organizations can consider simulation training to improve
competencies of newly enrolled nursing students. However, participants were recruited from
England and thus, raises doubts on applicability of the results in developing nations (Stayt et al.,
2015).

3MODULE 4, DISCUSSION 13: RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
References
Godin, K., Dhillon, M., & Bhandari, M. (2011). The three-minute appraisal of a randomized
trial. Indian journal of orthopaedics, 45(3), 194.
Stayt, L. C., Merriman, C., Ricketts, B., Morton, S., & Simpson, T. (2015). Recognizing and
managing a deteriorating patient: a randomized controlled trial investigating the
effectiveness of clinical simulation in improving clinical performance in undergraduate
nursing students. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 71(11), 2563-2574.

4MODULE 4, DISCUSSION 13: RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
References