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.