Effectiveness of a learning support program for respiratory physical assessment: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough the need for physical assessment in home nursing care has been shown, little research has examined the development of visiting nurses’ physical assessment capabilities.ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a learning support program to help working visiting nurses utilize their respiratory physical assessment skills.DesignThis study used a quasi-experimental design of two groups with pre-test, post-test measurements of training and follow-up test 8 weeks practice in their work place after the training.Methods57 currently working visiting nurses were assigned to 1 of 2 groups: a control group in which nurses would not receive any special support after respiratory physical assessment training, and an experimental group in which nurses would receive support to utilize the knowledge and skills they had learned during the training.ResultsThe average practical examination score was significantly higher after the training. In the experimental group, the average score 8 weeks after training was not significantly higher than that obtained just after training. Further, after 8 weeks, the experimental group’s average score was not significantly higher than that of the control group. Practice evaluation scores obtained by an investigation of daily clinical practice were not significantly higher seventh weeks compared to third weeks after training for either the experimental or control groups. Seventh weeks after training, the average practice evaluation score of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of control groups. The mean learning support program satisfaction score was higher among the experimental group than the control group.ConclusionsThe results suggested that support from others was effective in maintaining motivation for learning and making use in the regular practice of the knowledge and skills acquired in the respiratory physical assessment training.

Nurse perceptions of physical assessment skills for detecting acute progression of heart failure

“…Tuzer, Dinc, and Elcin (2016) reported the effects of using high‐fidelity simulators and standardized patients for physical assessment educational programs (Tuzer et al, 2016). Mitoma and Yamauchi (2018) found that a learning support program effectively helped nurses use respiratory physical assessment skills.…”