Functional Requirements for Virtual Home Visit Simulation Platforms: A Qualitative Study Among Students, Instructors, and Community Nurses Based on Peplau's Theory

Background Virtual simulation has been widely applied in nursing education, with demonstrated effectiveness; however, its application in home visit nursing remains limited. Understanding functional requirements from multiple stakeholders is essential for developing effective simulation platforms. However, no studies have systematically explored functional requirements for virtual home visit simulation platforms using theoretical frameworks. This study aimed to identify functional requirements for virtual home visit simulation platforms from nursing students, instructors, and community nurses' perspectives guided by Peplau's Interpersonal Relations Theory. Methods A qualitative descriptive study was conducted at a medical university and community health service centers in China. 38 participants (20 nursing students, 8 instructors, 10 community nurses) were recruited through purposeful sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach guided by Peplau's theoretical framework. Results Six main themes of virtual home visit simulation platform requirements were identified. Assessment and Communication focused on therapeutic relationship establishment through immersive interactions. Planning and Objectives addressed collaborative care planning and resource integration. Skills and Implementation covered practical adaptations for home environments. Evaluation and Improvement included comprehensive performance tracking. Dynamic Interconnections revealed sequential relationships between phases. Digital Enhancement Functions incorporated artificial intelligence for adaptive learning. Conclusion This study is grounded in Peplau's interpersonal relations theory and provides a comprehensive framework for the development of a virtual home visit simulation platform. The findings can guide the design of targeted virtual simulation platforms. Future research should investigate the requirements of theory based virtual platforms for home visit training, evaluate their effectiveness in enhancing nursing students' home visit competencies, and explore broader integration of artificial intelligence technologies in nursing education.