This project will evaluate a new course developed for nurses that provide care to children with breathing technology including breathing tubes and home breathing machines. The investigators plan to assess the nurses' knowledge and comfort of their ability to care for these medical technologies prior to the course as well as their ability to retain their knowledge 6 weeks and 6 months after course completion.
A structured program evaluation considering a hierarchy of outcomes is essential to determine whether the tracheostomy module is associated with improved knowledge and skills for CHPs (community health providers). This investigators proposed study is guided by the evaluation of knowledge acquisition and self-efficacy as a theoretical framework 24. CHPs' sense of self-efficacy or perceived capability in caring for this population is important to foster to potentially mitigate significant morbidity and mortality, while ultimately striving for safe, high-quality clinical care for these medically complex children.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
44
A standardized competency-based education tracheostomy module has been developed by the investigator group in collaboration with Respiratory Medicine, Complex Care, Respiratory Therapy, Nursing Education, Family Advisory Network and the Learning Institute at SickKids. Instructional methods for the full module are based on principles of adult learning and evidence from the procedure education literature and include the use of interactive, small-group teaching, hands-on simulation-based learning stations with relevant equipment as well as a formal assessment of knowledge and skills using simulation. Pre-learning packages are sent to course attendees at the time of registration to facilitate higher level discussions on the day of the course. While investigators have rigorously developed the curriculum and evaluation measures, the course outcomes remain unknown.
The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The difference in the immediate knowledge retention scores of tracheostomy course participants versus controls at 6 week follow-up
Knowledge Assessment - Tracheostomy Tubes: Multiple choice question (MCQ) tests have been developed by clinical experts. These tests focus on the important knowledge required to care for a child with a tracheostomy tube. Major themes include: i) clinical assessment; ii) safety; iii) general care; iv) troubleshooting/ emergency management. Higher Scores mean better knowledge retention.
Time frame: 6 weeks
The difference in the sustained knowledge retention scores of course participants versus controls at 6 month follow-up
Knowledge Assessment - Tracheostomy Tubes: Multiple choice question (MCQ) tests have been developed by clinical experts. These tests focus on the important knowledge required to care for a child with a tracheostomy tube. Major themes include: i) clinical assessment; ii) safety; iii) general care; iv) troubleshooting/ emergency management. Higher Scores mean better knowledge retention.
Time frame: 6 weeks and 6 months
The difference in the self-efficacy scores of course participants versus controls at 6 weeks and 6 month follow-up
Self-Efficacy - Tracheostomy Tubes: A self-efficacy survey that is content relevant for tracheostomy tubes has been developed based on Bandura's framework 24. The survey consists of 16 items assessing the registrants' perceived capability to perform each aspect of care on a likert scale with a 0-100 response interval. Higher Scores mean more self-efficacy.
Time frame: 6 weeks and 6 months
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