Key result
Alternative EKG teaching modalities yield differences in nurse knowledge and confidence versus instructor-led courses.
Why the study?
Changes in the health care environment and resource constraints have necessitated examination of traditional lecture methods for teaching nurses EKG interpretation.
Do alternative teaching modalities improve knowledge and confidence in EKG interpretation among nurses compared to traditional instructor-led courses?
Do alternative teaching modalities improve knowledge and confidence in EKG interpretation among nurses compared to traditional instructor-led courses?
Various instructional methods, including e-learning, can be effectively used to educate nurses in EKG interpretation without negatively affecting their knowledge or confidence.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Alternative EKG modalities preserve nurse knowledge and confidence; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice without randomized trials.
BACKGROUND: Historically, the instructional method of choice has been traditional lecture or face-to-face education; however, changes in the health care environment, including resource constraints, have necessitated examination of this practice. METHODS: A descriptive pre-/posttest method was used to determine the effectiveness of alternative teaching modalities on nurses' knowledge and confidence in electrocardiogram (EKG) interpretation. A convenience sample of 135 nurses was recruited in an integrated health care system in the Southeastern United States. Nurses attended an instructor-led course, an online learning (e-learning) platform with no study time or 1 week of study time, or an e-learning platform coupled with a 2-hour post-course instructor-facilitated debriefing with no study time or 1 week of study time. Instruments included a confidence scale, an online EKG test, and a course evaluation. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in knowledge and confidence were found for individual groups after nurses participated in the intervention. Statistically significant differences were found in pre-knowledge and post-confidence when groups were compared. CONCLUSION: Organizations that use various instructional methods to educate nurses in EKG interpretation can use different teaching modalities without negatively affecting nurses' knowledge or confidence in this skill.
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Spiva et al. (2011) studied EKG interpretation education (n=135). Alternative teaching modalities (e-learning with or without debriefing) vs. Instructor-led course was evaluated on Knowledge and confidence in EKG interpretation. Alternative teaching modalities for EKG interpretation resulted in significant differences in knowledge and confidence among 135 nurses.
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