Effectiveness of a learning support program for respiratory physical assessment: A quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND: Although the need for physical assessment in home nursing care has been shown, little research has examined the development of visiting nurses’ physical assessment capabilities. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a learning support program to help working visiting nurses utilize their respiratory physical assessment skills. DESIGN: This study used a quasi-experimental design of two groups with pre-test, post-test measurements of training and follow-up test 8 weeks practice in their work place after the training. METHODS: 57 currently working visiting nurses were assigned to 1 of 2 groups: a control group in which nurses would not receive any special support after respiratory physical assessment training, and an experimental group in which nurses would receive support to utilize the knowledge and skills they had learned during the training. RESULTS: The average practical examination score was significantly higher after the training. In the experimental group, the average score 8 weeks after training was not significantly higher than that obtained just after training. Further, after 8 weeks, the experimental group’s average score was not significantly higher than that of the control group. Practice evaluation scores obtained by an investigation of daily clinical practice were not significantly higher seventh weeks compared to third weeks after training for either the experimental or control groups. Seventh weeks after training, the average practice evaluation score of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of control groups. The mean learning support program satisfaction score was higher among the experimental group than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that support from others was effective in maintaining motivation for learning and making use in the regular practice of the knowledge and skills acquired in the respiratory physical assessment training.