Effectiveness of an educational program for mid-level Japanese public health nurses to improve program planning competencies: A preliminary randomized control trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an education program for mid-level Japanese public health nurses (PHNs) to improve their competencies in program planning, which will fulfill community health needs. DESIGN: Randomized control trial. SAMPLE: During 2017, 103 PHNs with 5-20 years of PHN work experience in Japan were enrolled and randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 51) or control group (n = 52). MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome measured competency in program planning based on Competency Measurement of Creativity for PHNs (CMC), knowledge, and skills regarding program planning. INTERVENTION: Six web-based learning modules followed by two face-to-face group sessions. RESULTS: The PHN participants averaged about 12 years of experience. In the intervention group, 25 PHNs completed all modules (49.0%). Post intervention, there were no statistically significant differences among any between-group CMC scores. However, the intervention group's CMC 3 score was significantly higher than that of the control group of ≥12 years of experience. Total knowledge and skill scores also improved significantly in the intervention group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that PHNs with ≥12 years of experience are a suitable target of this educational program, and should play a key role in program planning.