Emotions in Clinical Simulation: Chromatic Scales Comparative Study

Emotions are intertwined with learning and influence all situations one faces. There are validated scales to identify emotions such as the RULER scale, which distributes emotions into four quadrants represented by colors, and the Plutchick Wheel of Emotions, which represents eight basic emotions on a color wheel. Higher education institutions recognize clinical simulation as a valuable learning tool recognized in the training of health professionals. Objective: recognize and compare medical students’ emotions in the clinical simulation process. Methodology: Cross-sectional, qualitative, quasi-experimental comparative study design. In the first part of the process, the RULER scale was used to identify the students' emotions after a clinical simulation; in the second part, the Plutchick Wheel of Emotions was used. Results: 35.8% of the female and 51.34% of the male participants described a pleasant emotion, while 51.12% of female and 54% of male participants had high energy emotions. Students were mainly concerned about their diagnostic reasoning and prescription. Conclusions: students' experience influences emotions in clinical simulation. Most participants recognize that studying more and reflecting on their mental processes are the main actions to take for them to move to more pleasant emotions. Emotions favorable to learning occur more frequently throughout the clinical simulation process and improve with experience. Other healthcare professionals involved in clinical simulations can benefit of this approach, empowering their students to better management of their emotions, empathetic and socioemotional development, and personal growth.