Sandra Tricas-Sauras

Dr. Sandra Tricas-Sauras


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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28 March 2024 in PLOS ONE
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DDDennis Demedts
Dennis Demedts
JMJürgen Magerman
Jürgen Magerman
EGEllen Goossens
Ellen Goossens
STSandra Tricas-Sauras
Sandra Tricas-Sauras
JBJohan Bilsen
Johan Bilsen
MFMaaike Fobelets
Maaike Fobelets
Nursing students are confronted with euthanasia during their internship and certainly during their later career but they feel inadequately prepared in dealing with a euthanasia request. This study presents a simulation module focused on euthanasia and evaluates nursing students’ perceptions after they have completed the simulation practice. The ‘euthanasia module’ consisted of a preparatory online learning module, a good-practice video, an in-vivo simulation scenario, and a debriefing session. The module’s content was validated by four experts in end-of-life care. The module was completed by three groups of students from two different University Colleges (n = 17 in total). The students were divided into three groups: one with no previous simulation education experience, one with all students having previous experience, and another with a mix of experiences. After completing the entire module, each group had a discussion regarding their perceptions and expectations concerning this simulation module. Thematic content analysis was conducted on audio-recorded group interviews using NVIVO® software, involving initial open coding, transformation into specific themes and subthemes through axial coding, and defining core themes through selective coding, with data analysis continuing until data saturation was reached. Students generally found the online learning module valuable for background information, had mixed perceptions of the good-practice video, and appreciated the well-crafted scenarios with the taboo of euthanasia emerging during simulations, while the debriefing process was seen as enhancing clinical reasoning abilities. Students considered the simulation module a valuable addition to their education and nursing careers, expressing their satisfaction with the comprehensive coverage of the sensitive topic presented without sensationalism or taboos. This subject holds significance for nations with established euthanasia laws and those lacking such legal frameworks. The findings of this study can aid teachers in developing and accessing euthanasia simulation training programs, contributing to broader education’s emphasis on integrating euthanasia-related knowledge and skills.

BWBartłomiej Walczak
Bartłomiej Walczak
AWAnna Walczak
Anna Walczak
STSandra Tricas-Sauras
Sandra Tricas-Sauras
JKJakub Kołodziejczyk
Jakub Kołodziejczyk
(1) Background: Participation in youth sports is believed to protect against alcohol consumption. Although this concept has been questioned for over 40 years, the review of methodologically reliable evidence data is scarce. This review summarizes the state of knowledge on the association between practicing sports and alcohol consumption among adolescents (10–19 years old) and its moderators. (2) Methods: The review covers only random-sample-based and population research. A systematic search was conducted on Scopus, PubMed, and WoS, for articles published between 2000 and 2021. From the 1944 identified records, 139 advanced to the full-text review, and 32 to the final data extraction and quality review. (3) Results: About two-thirds of the studies, including all the longitudinal ones, showed a positive association between sport participation and alcohol consumption. The most common mediators were gender (males were at higher risk), discipline (odds for team sports were higher, but professionalization could reduce it), and race, which intersected with gender, putting white males at the highest risk. (4) Conclusions: Further longitudinal research based on random samples using standardized indicators, including psychological and social variables, may provide more consistent outcomes and allow for the identification of mediating mechanisms.

11 March 2025 in Nurse Education Today
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SOSylvester Odame-Amoabeng
Sylvester Odame-Amoabeng
AAAyse Akalin
Ayse Akalin
FDFlorence D'haenens
Florence D'haenens
STSandra Tricas-Sauras
Sandra Tricas-Sauras
YCYan-Shing Chang
Yan-Shing Chang
As healthcare evolves with technology, the demand for a more skilled nursing and midwifery workforce has increased, making traditional learning alone insufficient. This has driven the adoption of virtual reality (VR) based simulation learning. While VR's effectiveness has been reviewed, student and educator experiences and well-being remain underexplored. This review examined the perspectives of nursing and midwifery students and educators using immersive VR, and its impact on health and well-being. A qualitative systematic review was conducted searching across seven databases, CINAHL, Embase, Education Resources Information Centre, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection, from January 2001 to March 2024. Qualitative evidence on midwifery and nursing students and educators using immersive VR, including head-mounted displays, were included. An adapted Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool was used to assess study quality. Themes were developed using thematic synthesis. Forty-five studies from 14 countries were synthesised. VR topics covered skills, competencies, knowledge acquisition, and professional values. Seven analytical themes emerged: impact on health and well-being, constraints to VR use, unique selling points of VR, enhanced productivity in teaching and learning, perceptions of realism in VR, professional development and attitude shifts, and future considerations for VR use. While VR provides significant benefits in nursing and midwifery education, its full integration is hindered by practical challenges, and concerns about health and well-being. Effective adoption requires dedicated educator support, student collaboration in content development, clear guidelines, increased institutional investment, and balanced use alongside traditional simulations. Future research should investigate learner and educator perspectives longitudinally to maximise VR's educational potential.

19 October 2024 in Midwifery
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
AAAyse Akalin
Ayse Akalin
FDFlorence D'haenens
Florence D'haenens
JVJoeri Vermeulen
Joeri Vermeulen
STSandra Tricas-Sauras
Sandra Tricas-Sauras
DLDorien Lanssens
Dorien Lanssens

1 April 2025 in Ageing and Society
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ACAnn Claeys
Ann Claeys
SBSaloua Berdai-Chaouni
Saloua Berdai-Chaouni
STSandra Tricas-Sauras
Sandra Tricas-Sauras
LDLiesbeth De Donder
Liesbeth De Donder
With society’s growing diversity, it is increasingly crucial to comprehend the care needs of older migrants with dementia and their informal carers. This study explores the experiences of informal carers of older migrants with dementia using professional care, focusing on the participants’ perceptions of whether the delivered professional care meets the needs of the informal carer and their family member with dementia. Purposive sampling identified 17 informal carers living in Belgium and caring for older first-generation labour migrants from Italian and Turkish backgrounds. In-depth interviews were conducted and inductive data were analysed using the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven, a method inspired by the constant comparative method. The findings are presented through composite narrative vignettes. The data analysis revealed six predominant themes: (1) Informal carers are hoping for engagement from professional care providers, to create together a care alliance for the older person with dementia; (2) Informal carers experience cold substandard care provision from professional care providers towards their loved ones; (3) Informal carers need to feel a sense of home to be able to trust the professional care providers; (4) Informal carers experience culturally insensitive care practices by professional care providers; (5) Informal carers struggle with the responsibility of informal care-giving in the context of today’s world; (6) Informal carers experience the cumulative mental load of care-giving. Informal carers of older migrants with dementia face a cumulative mental burden through limited adapted-care options, cultural insensitivity in services, care-giving duties and additional tasks to bridge the professional care gaps.

2 August 2023 in Nurse Education Today
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MPMiren Idoia Pardavila-Belio
Miren Idoia Pardavila-Belio
CMCarmen Moreno-Arroyo
Carmen Moreno-Arroyo
OROlga Romero-Clará
Olga Romero-Clará
STSandra Tricas-Sauras
Sandra Tricas-Sauras
TBTeresa Barroso
Teresa Barroso
JRJosep Rius
Josep Rius