The Effect of Web-Based Preoperative and Postoperative Patient Care Education on Nursing Students: A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

This study examined the effect of Web-based preoperative and postoperative patient care education among undergraduate nursing students. This was an experimental, randomized controlled study. The study included 305 nursing students (experimental group: n = 155, control group: n = 150), who were assessed with the following instruments: the Preoperative and Postoperative Care Knowledge Test, Preoperative and Postoperative Care Skill Control List, Clinical Decision Making in Nursing Scale, and Nursing Student Clinical Performance Evaluation Scale. t Tests and χ tests were used to evaluate the data. There was no statistically significant difference between the students' posttest knowledge levels, clinical performance assessment, or clinical decision-making scores. The experimental group was found to perform the skills of "check patient's documents and prophylactic antibiotics when going to surgery" (χ = 4.88; P = .02), "controls the surgical safety checklist (before surgery) before going to surgery" (χ = 10.41; P = .00), and "observes surgical site/dressing (χ = 7.77; P = .00)" at a statistically significantly higher level. The education provided in the Web-based education was equivalent to that provided in traditional education. Thus, Web-based education appears to be a useful tool to educate student nurses in preoperative and postoperative patient care.