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Using simulation to enhance primary care sexual health services for breast cancer survivors: a feasibility study

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the impact of a virtual simulation game (VSG) to improve primary care sexual health services for breast cancer survivors.

Methods

We developed a VSG to help primary care providers (PCPs) address sexual health disturbances among breast cancer survivors. We used a pretest–posttest design with a series of validated tools to assess the feasibility and perceived impact of the  VGS, including an open-ended question about participants’ perceptions. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative data through an inductive content analysis approach.

Results

Of the 60 participants, the majority were nurse practitioner students (n = 26; 43.3%), female (n = 48; 80%), and worked full-time (n = 35; 58.3%). Participants perceived the VSG as feasible and potentially effective. The intervention elicited an improvement in PCPs’ perception of knowledge between pretest and posttest surveys (z =  − 1.998, p = 0.046). Professional background and previous exposure to sexual health training were predictors of knowledge perception. Participants described the intervention as an engaging educational strategy where they felt safe to make mistakes and learn from that.

Conclusions

VSGs can be a potentially effective educational approach for PCPs. Our findings indicate that despite being an engaging interactive strategy, VSG interventions should be tailored for each professional group.

Implications for cancer survivors

This intervention has potential to improve the knowledge and practice of PCPs related to breast cancer follow-up care to support comprehensive care for survivors, resulting in a better quality of life and patient outcomes.

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Data availability

The data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support from Queen’s University for the development of the research, the Canadian Alliance of Nurse Educators using Simulation (CAN-Sim) for support in the development of the virtual simulation game, and Gabriel de Andrade Conradi Barni and Matheus Fernando Moro for support in the statistical analysis.

Funding

This feasibility study is part of a PhD a multi-phase thesis research study funded by a Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO) Research Grant, a Canadian Alliance of Nurses Educators using Simulation (CAN-Sim) PhD student award, and an International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) Debra Spunt Research Grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Amina Silva, Jacqueline Galica, Kevin Woo & Marian Luctkar-Flude

  2. Nursing Department, Brock University, St. Catherines, Canada

    Amina Silva

Authors
  1. Amina Silva
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  2. Jacqueline Galica
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  4. Marian Luctkar-Flude
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by AS, with the support of JG, KW, and MLF. The first draft of the manuscript was written by AS, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amina Silva.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Silva, A., Galica, J., Woo, K. et al. Using simulation to enhance primary care sexual health services for breast cancer survivors: a feasibility study. Support Care Cancer 31, 576 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08037-2

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