PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the persistency of effects of an integrated nursing simulation program on interest in learning, recognition of importance of communication, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. METHOD: Forty-seven nursing students were recruited for this quasi-experimental design research. The experimental group (n=23) performed the simulation program for two weeks, and the control group (n=24) performed traditional clinical nursing practice for two weeks. Data were collected at baseline, immediately after the intervention, at 4 weeks, and finally at 8 weeks. RESULTS: With respect to all variables, no significant differences were found between the experimental group and the control group. Interest in learning showed a significant increase in the control group (F=3.59, p=.018) at 4 weeks, and there was a significant increase in problem-solving abilities in the experimental group (F=4.98, p=.004) immediately after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study suggest that the integrated nursing simulation program is as effective as the traditional clinical nursing practice, and the integrated nursing simulation program could be used as an alternative.
Humans ; Learning ; Methods ; Nursing* ; Patient Simulation ; Program Evaluation* ; Students, Nursing

Competency-Based Education ; Education, Medical ; methods ; Health Personnel ; education ; Humans ; Philippines ; Program Evaluation ; Teaching ; methods

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop criteria to evaluate a premedical curriculum to ultimately improve the quality of premedical education. METHODS: The first draft of the evaluation criteria was developed through a literature review and expert consultation. The Delphi survey was conducted to ensure the validity of the draft. RESULTS: The final premedical curriculum criteria consisted of three evaluation areas (curriculum development, curriculum implementation, and curriculum outcome), five evaluation items (educational objective, organization of curriculum, instructional method, class management, and educational outcome), and 18 evaluation indicators. CONCLUSION: There should be further discussion on the evaluation questionnaire and the content for each evaluation indicator with regard to its practical application. Also, a concrete evaluation system, including evaluation standards and rating scales, should be developed.
Curriculum/*standards ; Delphi Technique ; Education, Premedical/*standards ; Humans ; Program Evaluation/*methods ; Reproducibility of Results

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a program outcomes assessment system based on Course Embedded Assessment for nursing education. METHODS: This study was conducted in accordance with the procedures of the developmental research method. RESULTS: The major results are as follows. 1) The program outcomes were measured according to the Analytic Hierarchy Process. 2) The Course Embedded Assessment matrix was made according to program outcomes' weight, the curriculum-organizing principle, and achievement levels. 3) The Course Embedded Assessment rubric was developed in logical process, and consisted of a performance criterion, and rating scale. The content validity index of the Course Embedded Assessment rubric was 0.85. 4) An evaluation guideline and 12 documents were developed to facilitate the performance of the assessment system. 5) The average content validity index of the Course Embedded Assessment-based program outcomes assessment system was as high as 0.89. CONCLUSION: A Course Embedded Assessment-based program outcomes assessment system is more suitable for accreditation of nursing education than previous studies. Because this system evaluates the process of achievement as well as program outcomes, the results can also serve as immediate feedback to improve the educational process. Above all, this system facilitates that students check their achievements and strive to acquire core competencies in nursing.
Accreditation ; Education, Nursing* ; Humans ; Logic ; Methods ; Nursing* ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)* ; Program Evaluation

Education, Medical, Continuing ; standards ; Faculty, Medical ; Humans ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Program Evaluation ; methods ; Singapore

Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; methods ; Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Program Evaluation

PURPOSE: Despite recent advances in the surgical and postoperative management of infants with congenital heart disease, nutritional support for this population is often suboptimal. The purpose of this study was to develop a nutritional program for the postoperative period for infants who have had cardiac surgery and to evaluate effects of the program. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design with pretest and posttest measures was used. A newly developed nutritional program including a feeding protocol and feeding flow was provided to the study group (n=19) and usual feeding care to the control group (n=19). The effects of the feeding program were analyzed in terms of total feed intake, total calorie intake, gastric residual volume, and frequency of diarrhea. RESULTS: Calorie intake and feeding amount in the study group were significantly increased compared to the control group. However, the two groups showed no significant differences in gastric residual volume and frequency of diarrhea. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the nutritional program used in the study is an effective nursing intervention program in increasing feeding amount and calorie intake in infants postoperative to cardiac surgery and does not cause feeding-related complications.
Diarrhea/complications/etiology ; Enteral Nutrition/*methods/standards ; Female ; Heart Diseases/*surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Nutritional Requirements ; *Postoperative Care/methods ; Postoperative Complications ; Program Development ; Program Evaluation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a cognitive behavioral anger management intervention in order to increase self-consciousness and decrease anger among Korean military men. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design was used for this study. Ninety two soldiers were screened for unhealthy anger expression using a questionnaire. Among them, 26 soldiers who showed unhealthy anger expression were selected for this study. They were matched by rank and assigned to either a treatment or control group. The treatment group received the intervention three consecutive times, once a week and for 120 minutes per session. Participants were assessed before and after the intervention for anger (the State-Trait Anger Scale) and self-consciousness (Self-consciousness Scale). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square-test, Mann-Whitney test, and Wilcox on signed rank test. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant decrease in anger or increase in self-consciousness between the two groups following treatment. However, there was a significant increase in private self-consciousness in the treatment group after the intervention(p=.006). CONCLUSION: The cognitive behavioral anger management program improves private self-consciousness in soldiers. However, Additional research is needed to explore whether long-term intervention is more effective for anger control in the military setting. The findings from this study suggest that more attention should be given to mental health care for Korean soldiers.
Adult ; *Anger ; Cognitive Therapy/*methods ; Consciousness ; Expressed Emotion ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mental Health ; Military Personnel/*psychology ; Program Evaluation ; Questionnaires

Worksite smoking cessation programs offer accessibility of the target population, availability of occupational health support, and the potential for peer pressure and peer support. The purpose of this study was to identify the efficacy of the financial incentives given to various teams in the workplace. St. Paul's Hospital's employees were enrolled. Each team of employees consisted of smoking participants and non-smoking fellow workers from the same department. The financial incentive of 50000 won (about $45) was rewarded to the team for each successful participant-not to individual members-after the first week and then after one month. If the smokers in the team remained abstinent for a longer time period, the team was given an incentive of 100000 won for each successful participant after 3 and 6 months. A total 28 smoking participants and 6 teams were enrolled. Self-reported abstinence rates validated by urinary cotinine test at 3, 6, and 12 months after the initial cessation were 61%, 54%, and 50%, respectively. Smokers with high nicotine dependence scores or those who began participation 1 month after enrollment initiation had a lower abstinence rate at 3 months, but not at 6 and 12 months. Participants who succeeded at smoking cessation at 12 months were more likely to be older and have a longer smoking duration history. The financial incentives given to teams could be promising and effective to improve long-term rates of smoking cessation. This approach could use peer pressure and peer support in the workplace over a longer period.
Adult ; Demography ; Female ; Health Promotion/*economics ; Humans ; Male ; *Motivation ; Program Evaluation/*methods ; Smoking Cessation/*economics ; Treatment Outcome ; *Workplace

INTRODUCTIONSmall group-based instructional methods such as team learning have been shown to produce positive educational outcomes. To motivate students' learning in an evidence-based medicine course, we explore team learning as a teaching strategy, and describe students' engagement and preference for this mode of learning.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAn adaptation of team learning was implemented in September 2007 for all Year 2 Medical undergraduates attending the Principles in Evidence-Based Medicine course at the National University of Singapore. First, each student attempted a multiple-choice question individually. Next, the student discussed the same question with his/her team and provided a group response. Individual and group answers were recorded using keypads and Turning Point software. Students' engagement and preference for team learning were measured using a self-reported Likert Scale instrument. The pattern of engagement in team learning was compared with conventional tutorial involving the same cohort of students using chi2 trend test.

RESULTSA total of 224 (88%) and 215 (84%) students responded to the surveys on team learning and conventional tutorial respectively. Overall, students reported a higher level of engagement with team learning than conventional tutorial. However, regardless of the mode of instruction, the students were equally likely to pay attention in class. Sixty-nine per cent of students found team learning more enjoyable than conventional tutorial, with 73% preferring this mode of learning. There was a tendency for the percentage of correct responses to improve after group discussion.

CONCLUSIONSTeam learning is the preferred mode of learning by Year 2 students attending the evidence-based medicine course. It promoted a high level of students' engagement and interaction in class.

Curriculum ; Education, Medical, Undergraduate ; methods ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; education ; Group Processes ; Humans ; Motivation ; Program Evaluation ; Singapore ; Students, Medical ; Surveys and Questionnaires