Avatars in nursing: an integrative review

Nurse Educ. 2014 Jan-Feb;39(1):38-41. doi: 10.1097/01.NNE.0000437367.03842.63.

Abstract

This integrative review explored the use of avatars and virtual worlds in education, synthesizing the articles and findings and presenting implications for nurse educators. Evaluation of available publications concluded that avatars allow students to practice in a safe environment, enhancing learning. The need now is for faculty who use avatars and virtual worlds in their teaching to plan more robust outcomes assessment that evaluates if the acquired knowledge of students, met program objectives, and achieved improved patient outcomes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Education, Nursing / methods*
  • Humans
  • Nursing Education Research
  • Nursing Evaluation Research
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Patient Simulation*
  • User-Computer Interface*