Effects of Educational Intervention on Nursing Students’ Knowledge About Infusion Phlebitis: A Quasi-Experimental Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-5293/19658Keywords:
education, infusions, nursing students, peer-assisted learning, phlebitis, self-directed learningAbstract
Background: Both peer teaching and self-directed learning have become substantial areas of interest and research in medical education. However, there is limited educational intervention to improve nursing students’ knowledge of infusion phlebitis.
Aim: To evaluate the effects of an educational intervention on improving nursing students’ knowledge of infusion phlebitis.
Methods: A quasi-experimental (pre-post) study with 222 first- to fourth-year undergraduate nursing students was purposively and conveniently conducted at a referral hospital in northeastern Namibia. The experimental group (n = 111) engaged in peer-assisted learning (PAL), which incorporated brainstorming, targeted lectures, group discussions and the use of intravenous training arm visualisations. Conversely, the control group (n = 111) used articles and video links for self-directed learning (SDL) between March and April 2024. The intervention consisted of weekly two-hour sessions (eight sessions in total), amounting to 960 minutes (16 hours) over the eight-week period.
Results: Both groups demonstrated significant knowledge gains (SDL + 4 marks, PAL + 5 marks), suggesting both teaching methods are viable. However, despite a positive trend, the observed effect size of 0.685 marks (≈ 3.4% improvement) indicated that the differences between PAL and SDL interventions were statistically insignificant (p = 0.464).
Conclusion: Positive knowledge trends demonstrate the viability of both PAL and SDL, suggesting these methods can play a transformative role in nursing curricula and evidence-based practice. The study suggests that future investigations prioritise larger samples and repeated interventions within true experimental designs, using more challenging tests to increase data accuracy.
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