Comparative analysis of nursing students' reflection levels before and after debriefing in simulation training in South Korea: qualitative analysis design

Purpose: To measure the level of reflection, this study analyzes diaries written by third-year nursing students before and after the debriefing stage in simulation training. A qualitative study using diary entries from 15 nursing students to explore reflection depth. Methods: Students engaged in simulation training and the debriefing stage, documenting their reflections in diaries. Before and after debriefing, reflections were rated from Level 1 (reflectivity) to Level 7 (theoretical reflectivity). Results: The total number of reflection levels rose significantly from 545 to 829 post-debriefing, enhancing higher-order reflection. The shift signifies a move from superficial to deep reflection, highlighting debriefing's role in fostering critical thinking. Conclusion: The findings underscore the critical role of debriefing in enhancing reflective thinking in nursing education. There is a demonstrated need for further research into the specific elements of debriefing that are most effective at promoting deep reflection. Future studies should conduct comparative analyses of different debriefing methods and approaches across various educational settings. This research could lay the foundation for designing more effective debriefing strategies that foster critical thinking and improve learning outcomes in nursing education.