Telehealth Simulation: Effect on Nurse Learner Knowledge, Confidence, and Attitudes.

ABSTRACT: Limited research explores the effectiveness of educational interventions in meeting telehealth technology competencies. A combined didactic and simulation intervention was implemented with 66 prelicensure and 15 nurse practitioner students. Telehealth knowledge, confidence, and attitudes were evaluated using the Telemedicine Objective Structured Clinical Exam survey. Results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential strategies, and responses to an open-ended question were content analyzed. Survey scores significantly increased from pre- to post-intervention. Learners recognized the value of telehealth and the educational intervention. This effective and well-received intervention can be used by schools of nursing to facilitate student attainment of telehealth competencies.

Case-based learning: Facilitating nurse practitioner clinical learning with virtual patient cases.

ABSTRACT: Through unfolding patient case studies, case-based learning has the potential to facilitate nurse practitioner (NP) student application of didactic knowledge to clinical practice, thus narrowing the theory-practice gap. The purpose of this study was to investigate NP student experience using virtual patient cases to supplement clinical learning. Bloom's cognitive taxonomy served as the framework. Seven students enrolled in the final semester of a distance family NP program completed 45 virtual patient cases over an 8-week period. Case topics covered a variety of primary care problems. Usability of the virtual learning platform was measured by the System Usability Scale. Clinical learning value was measured by the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale. Students rated their perceived ability to manage common primary care problems at the start and end of the 8-week period. Students found the virtual learning platform highly usable and were satisfied and self-confident with their learning. Student perceived ability to manage common primary care problems increased for all virtual case topics from start to end of course. This study provides further evidence that well-designed virtual patient cases have the potential to effectively supplement NP student clinical learning. These results are important as NP faculty look for alternative forms of clinical learning to supplement direct care clinical experiences.

Increasing Influenza Immunization Rates Among Retail Employees: An Evidence-Based Approach.

Influenza has a significant impact on the health of Americans and the U.S. economy. Annual influenza immunization can decrease the burden of influenza-related illnesses for both employees and employers. This project evaluated a nurse practitioner-led intervention to increase influenza immunization rates among retail employees from August through December of the 2015-2016 influenza season. The sample included employees from retail locations with on-site convenience care clinics staffed by nurse practitioners. This quality improvement project used a pre-post implementation evaluation design and compared influenza immunization rates of employees, before and after an intervention, at one worksite, and influenza immunization rates of employees, who did not receive the same intervention, at a comparison site. The intervention site employees were immunized at a higher rate than employees at the comparison site. Interventions, including health care professional-led education, program promotion, on-site access to and no-cost immunizations, choice of immunization delivery, and incentives, should be considered to increase immunization rates among employees.