Effect of Online Simulation-Based Education on Nurses' Knowledge and Skills Toward Electrocardiogram Interpretation

Abstract

Background: The use of simulation has gained great importance in teaching theoretical and clinical skills for nurses. It helps nurses to develop knowledge, skills and attitude and reduce probability of errors to improve quality of patients' care. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of online simulation-based education on nurses' knowledge and skills toward electrocardiogram interpretation. Study design: Quasi-experimental (one group pre-test/post-test) design was used to achieve the aim of this study. Setting: This study was conducted in the classroom at Ain Shams University hospital. Subjects: purposeful sample of (90) nurses were recruited to included in this study. Data collection Tools: (1) Nurses' knowledge assessment questionnaire. (2) Nurses' skills assessment questionnaire. (3) Nurses' satisfaction assessment questionnaire. Results: The studied nurses' mean age was 33.51+8.59 years; 63.3% were females, 100% had bachelor degree, and 87.8% of them didn't attend training course before about ECG interpretation. A statistically significant difference was revealed in the knowledge and skills of nurses toward electrocardiogram interpretation before and after implementation of online simulation-based education where p value <0.001. Conclusion: Implementation of online simulation-based education positively affects nurses' knowledge and skills toward electrocardiogram interpretation. Recommendations: It is recommended to incorporate the online simulation to teach and train nurses working in the critical care units about electrocardiogram interpretation to help them improve their performance and enhance quality of patients care.