Evaluation of the effectiveness of the web-based chronic pain management training program developed for nursing students: Triple-blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based chronic pain management training program developed for nursing students.

Background: Web-based training is effective in increasing the knowledge and attitude levels of nursing students. In the literature, data on the effectiveness of web-based education on chronic pain management education of nursing students are limited.

Design: This was a triple-blind randomized controlled trial conducted between May and June 2022.

Methods: The study was conducted with 66 fourth-year students enrolled in the Nursing Department of a state university in a province of Türkiye.. The students were divided into two groups: intervention (n=33) and control (n=33). A dedicated website was developed for chronic pain management training, incorporating video modules, end-of-video evaluation questions and data collection tests, all of which were made available on this platform. The personal information form, chronic pain management knowledge test, Healthcare Professionals' Attitudes toward Patients with Chronic Pain and Chronic Pain Management Training Program Evaluation Form were the data collection tools. In the implementation phase of the study, the pre-test was first applied to the control group via the website and the post-test was applied two weeks later. After the intervention group completed the pre-test, the intervention group was given web-based chronic pain management training for two weeks and the post-test was applied at the end of the training and the data collection was completed.

Results: After web-based training chronic pain management, the chronic pain management knowledge score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). The intervention group had significantly higher scores in sensitivity and misconception orientation, sub-dimensions of the attitude scale towards patients with chronic pain, compared with the control group (p<0.05).

Conclusions: These results show that the web-based educational intervention positively increased students' knowledge of chronic pain management and attitudes towards patients with chronic pain. It shows that web-based education is effective in chronic pain management education.

Keywords: Chronic Pain; Education, Distance; Internet-based intervention; Nursing students; Pain Management.