[Multimedia instruction: its efficacy in nurse electrocardiography learning].

BACKGROUND

Rapid enhancements in information technology have focused increasing attention on the potentials of multimedia-assisted instruction in nursing education. Multimedia-assisted instruction not only goes beyond constraints on time and space, it further provides learners with a more active and dynamic environments for learning. In this context, learning becomes easier and more convenient. Most importantly, such instruction has been shown to enhance the effectiveness of student learning.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this research was to develop multimedia-assisted teaching materials focused on the subject of electrocardiography and to discuss the resulting efficacy of electrocardiography education relative to the overall in-service nursing education curriculum.

METHODS

This study employed a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design method and purposive sampling. Seventy-seven nurses were enrolled as participants from intensive care units of a Taipei hospital. An EKG knowledge questionnaire was employed to collect data once prior to the start of the course and once following course completion. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 15.0 for Windows software package.

RESULTS

RESULTS showed the experimental group scored significantly higher on ECG knowledge after the intervention than the control group. The experimental group further showed significant differences in ECG knowledge in terms of pre- and post-intervention measurements.

CONCLUSIONS / IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: In the future, the strategy of multimedia-assisted instruction should be applied extensively in the nursing staff continuing education curriculum in order to increase learner interest and motivation.