Development of a Simulation Based on Lived Experiences of Health Care Barriers and Bias for Nursing

Abstract

Barriers to health care and social determinants of health result in harmful and preventable health outcomes. Gaps in health outcomes and disequilibrium of occurrence of diseases and illness are a result of physical barriers of health, and bias and racism in health care. At an urban hospital in the Midwest, simulation is currently used for exploring and learning about various nursing skills, hospital protocols, practices, and policies. Using Madeline Leininger’s Culture Care Theory, a simulation based on people’s lived experiences highlighting health care barriers and subsequent inequities was developed to educate and expand nurses’ knowledge and understanding of caring for marginalized populations. Literature reviewing simulation in nursing, racism in health care and social determinants of health, the phenomenology of lived experiences, and the concept of culture care describes the possible successes of using simulation as a space for exploring diversity, equity, and inclusion and bias in health care and the importance of incorporating lived experiences into the learning. Nurses have the capability to either contribute to or dismantle health care bias and barriers experienced by patients through the care they provide. The project aims to educate nurses by enhancing awareness and ability to combat bias and barriers. Implications for future nursing practice and projects to ensure fair, equitable, and respectful health care for all resulted in the eye-opening learning of the importance of community and hospital partnership which is essential to mitigating barriers to health care