A study protocol to develop virtual reality software in the care management of patients in intensive care.

Background: The use of virtual reality is increasing in nursing to ensure patient safety and to improve the quality of care in the education of nurses.

Aim: To develop a virtual reality software for intensive care patient care management and to investigate the effect of this software on novice intensive care nurses.

Study Design: This study protocol contains a randomized controlled experimental design research. The nurses will be divided into control (n = 34) and study groups (n = 34) by randomization. The research will be conducted in four steps: (1) according to Kolcaba's Comfort Theory, the protocol for care management of an intensive care patient will be prepared and transferred to the virtual reality software, (2) the nurses in both groups will be given theoretical training, (3) a routine orientation training programme will be applied to the nurses in the control group, and those in the study group will be given virtual reality goggles. (4) Tools such as a 'Clinical Practice Skills Observation Form and Knowledge Level Questionnaire' and 'Problem-Solving Inventory', 'Clinical Decision-Making Scale in Nursing', 'State Anxiety Inventory' and 'Satisfaction Level Questionnaire' will be applied to both groups before commencing the theoretical training, 1 week after the application and in the first month of the application.

Results: This protocol describes an experimental study aiming to test the impact of virtual reality software on novice intensive care nurses in the care management of an intensive care patient.

Conclusions: The results and recommendations will be shared after the study is completed.

Relevance To Clinical Practice: Within the scope of the research, the virtual reality software to be developed for the care management of an intensive care patient will provide important contributions to the development of nurses' problem-solving and clinical decision-making skills and reduce state anxiety levels in orientation to the intensive care unit (ICU).