The effect of visual impairment simulation training grounded in the DIKW model on humanistic practice ability and professional identity of new ophthalmic nurses: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To determine the effect of visual impairment simulation training based on Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom (DIKW) model on professional identity and humanistic practice ability of new ophthalmic nurses.

Background: Cultivating new ophthalmic nurses' professional identity and humanistic practice ability is the key to improving the quality of future ophthalmic services. Traditional training focuses on skills and neglects humanistic practice and teaching methods are imperfect and single. Therefore, it is necessary to innovate training strategies.

Design: A randomized controlled trial.

Methods: A total of 77 new nurses from the eye hospital participated and were randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 39) and control groups (n = 38). The experimental group received the DIKW-based visual impairment simulation training and the control group received traditional training. Research tools (Nurse Professional Identity Scale, Nurses Humanistic Practice Ability Scale) were used to test at baseline and after intervention. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS26.0. This report adheres to the CONSORT.

Results: After interventions, the nurses' professional identity (Z = -4.854, p < 0.001) and humanistic practice ability (Z = -2.568, p < 0.05) in the experimental group improved. Compared with the control group, the scores of nurses' professional identity (Z = -5.222, p < 0.001) and humanistic practice ability (t = 3.132, p < 0.05) in the experimental group were significantly different.

Conclusion: The DIKW-based visual impairment simulation training is helpful to improve the professional identity and humanistic practice abilities of newly recruited ophthalmic nurses. The results may contribute to the improvement of future training programs.