Effectiveness of Blended Versus Traditional Learning Program about Nursing Care of Sciatica on Nurses' Performance, and Self-Efficacy

Abstract

Sciatica is a type of back pain that occurs in a variety of intensity and duration. Nursing care is intended to provide crucial care to reduce the burden of this condition. Blended learning has distinguished advantages to improve nurses' performance. Purpose: This study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of blended versus traditional learning program about nursing care of sciatica on nurses' performance, and self-efficacy. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design was used to conduct the current study in the Neurosurgery Department, Suez Canal University Hospitals. Sample: A purposive sample of two nurse's groups were recruited at the study, a totally were (54) nurses. Four tools were used; (1) Self-administrated questionnaire to assess nurses' demographic data, and knowledge level; (2) Nurses' practice observational checklist to assess nurses' practice level; (3) Modified self-efficacy questionnaire to assess nurse's belief in their own ability and (4) Learning program's satisfaction questionnaire to assess nurses' satisfaction level. Results: Significantly an improvement of the nurses' knowledge, practice, self-efficacy, and learning program's satisfaction of the study group compared to control group at post phases. There was a significant correlation of self-efficacy between the study and control group at pre, post, and follow-up phases with a p value≤ 0.05. Conclusion: It concluded that blended learning is crucial for improving nurses' knowledge, practice, and self-efficacy. It can decrease the time and effort of lecturing a repeated content. Recommendation: A blended learning program about nursing care of sciatica should be adhered to and applied at the orientation phase of nurses.