Implementing an Electronic Learning Platform for Perioperative Novice Nurses on Common Surgical Procedure

By CHAN Hin Cheong, Vincent, RN, BN, MN (Advanced Practice), Msc (Health Care Management), FHKAN (Perioperative Nursing), FHKAN (Education), Operating Theater

Background

Approximately 20% (n=32) of novice nurses have been currently working in the Operating Theatre (OT) for less than 2 years. The Nurse Residency Program (NRP) provides novice nurses an overview of knowledge and skills in OT techniques as a scrub and as a circulating role in the theatre on consumable, instruments, and equipment preparation. It does not cover knowledge assessment of the steps necessary to anticipate needs during operations. All novice nurses have mentors typically utilizing the conventional face-to-face training, but this mode of learning has been highly intangible costs and less flexibility with time. An interactive mobile learning platform encourages application of peri-operative practices that could provide quality and standard peri-operative care and could guide nurse learners’ to better and enhance perioperative care.

Purpose and Problem Statement

The purpose of this project is to increase novice nurses’ knowledge in common surgical procedures by a standardized learning material and an interaction discussion through an e-learning platform. The PICO question is that does the implementation of an electronic self-learning platform increase the knowledge of perioperative novice nurses on common surgical procedures?

Implementation Plan

Results

31 participants (n=31) were recruited to join pre-intervention and post intervention assessment on surgical procedures. Data were collected and analyzed through using descriptive statistics method.

For Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, the result showed that the participants answered more questions after self- electronic learning. Four of ten questions they answered correctly in high percentage in post intervention assessment, overall there was average increased percentage by 26%. It demonstrated learning through this platform increased their knowledge in post intervention average score as 7.1 compared with pre-intervention average score as 4.2.

For LSCS, the result showed the participants answered more questions after self learning. Five of ten questions they answered correctly in high percentage in post intervention assessment, overall there was average increased percentage by 24%. The result demonstrated again this electronic learning increased their knowledge on LSCS in post intervention average score as 7.8 compared with pre-intervention average score as 5.6.

26 participants (n=26) were recruited to join the post-Intervention evaluation on perception and satisfaction towards an electronic learning. Data were collected and analyzed through using descriptive statistics method. About 76% of them agreed that this platform is easy to use and interactive and 84% of them overall satisfied with this platform. 76% of the participants agreed it could stimulate their learning interest. 84% of them agreed it is easier and more flexible to learn the core knowledge and skills of surgical procedures. 70% of them agreed the Interactive discussion facilitates their understanding more about surgical procedures.

Recommendations and Next Steps

Extending this pilot project to the randomized controlled trial would prove significantly the e-learning platform to increase participants’ knowledge based competency. Further implementation will be extended to each specialty team in OT for knowledge transfer and clinical sharing. This pilot project has been successful in two surgical procedures out of sixteen common surgical procedures. Next step is to promulgate the template of learning materials to each specialty team in OT for other common surgical procedures. Moreover, there is benefit in understanding the junior nurses’ thoughts and mindset to deal with clinical scenarios and how that can impact planning educational activities for them in the future. This new kind of learning platform could stimulate learning interest and eagerness, ultimately fostering a learning culture in a creative, more accessible, and user–friendly way.