Perceptions and Experiences of Professional Nurse Educators and Midwives on Simulation-Based Education in Tanzania: A Qualitative Study

Background: Evidence shows that simulation-based education for nurses and midwives contributes to strengthening patient safety and quality of care in healthcare settings. Nevertheless, it is implemented to a limited degree in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) higher education institutions, including Tanzania. This demands that Tanzania shift from a traditional model of teaching to incorporate simulation-based education to produce a skilled workforce. Objective: To explore perceptions and experiences of nurse educators (lecturers) and midwives on simulation-based education in Tanzania. Methods: The study employed a generic qualitative descriptive study design with purposive sampling. The data were collected through individual semi-structured interview guides with nurse educators and midwives (nine nurse educators and 11 midwife graduates) from two selected universities in the School of Nursing and their respective teaching hospitals. Qualitative inductive content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: The data analysis revealed three themes and nine sub-themes: 1. Knowledge and skills in simulation-based education. 2. Challenges in the implementation of simulation-based education. 3. Ensuring patients’ safety. Conclusions: Students were indeed experienced, but not trained in how to use simulation-based education, and nurse educators had inadequate skills. A high number of students with inadequate infrastructure and resources is the major challenge experienced by participants. Simulation-based education is at an early stage of adoption in Tanzania and will require ongoing development, support and resources to fulfilll its potential in promoting patient safety.