Evaluating the Impact of Prebriefing on Situation Awareness

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2026

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Clinical Simulation in Nursing

Source ISSN

1876-1399

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecns.2026.101966

Abstract

Background

Situation awareness (SA) in nursing involves higher order thinking skills such as maintaining focused awareness, analyzing, and synthesizing data, and planning nursing care while adapting to dynamic conditions. Developing SA is challenging for nursing students, making structured preparation and prebriefing in simulation a strategic intervention.

Methods

Nursing students enrolled in an adult health course with simulation were assigned to the control group using customary prepwork and prebriefing or the experimental group, using structured prepwork and prebriefing activities designed to foster SA. The impact of the prebriefing was measured using four instruments: the Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique, the Situation Awareness Rating Technique, two subscales from the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric, and the Prebriefing Experience Scale.

Results

Participants in both groups demonstrated SA following the simulation, and the intervention group was not statistically greater, however this group reported greater satisfaction with their prebriefing experience than the control.

Conclusions

Additional research is needed to determine the impact of prebriefing on developing SA. Repeated doses of the intervention, or more sensitive measure of SA may be warranted.

Comments

Clinical Simulation in Nursing, Vol. 115 (June 2026). DOI.

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