Evaluation of the effectiveness of artificial intelligence assisted interactive screen-based simulation in breast self-examination: An innovative approach in nursing students.

Background: Breast self-examination is important in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. The use of traditional education methods is insufficient for student nurses to gain breast self-examination skills in nurse education. New and different education methods are needed to gain skills in nurse education.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of artificial intelligence-assisted screen-based simulations practice and standard patient simulation in teaching breast self-examination skills in nursing undergraduate students.

Design: This study was a comparative intervention trial.

Settings: This study was conducted at a university in XX, in XXX in the first semesters of the academic years 2022-2023.

Methods: This study enlisted 103 students enrolled in first year in a nursing department. Students were randomized into artificial intelligence-assisted screen-based simulations practice group (n = 52) and standard patient simulation group (n = 51). Data were collected using student description form, breast self-examination checklist, student satisfaction and self-confidence in learning scale, Spielberger's state and trait anxiety inventory.

Results: The highest score regarding the total score means of breast self-examination skills belonged to the standard patient simulation group, and the differences between the groups were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Although the mean score of anxiety levels of the students' artificial intelligence-assisted screen-based simulations practice group was higher than the standard patient simulation (p < 0.05). The mean score of the students' satisfaction with the simulation was higher in artificial intelligence-assisted screen-based simulations practice group than the standard patient simulation group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The results of the research showed that the use of artificial intelligence-assisted simulation learning increased students' satisfaction, but at the same time students' anxiety increased. In addition, artificial intelligence-assisted simulation learning is not as effective as standard patient simulation learning in gaining breast self-examination skills.