Immediate and enduring changes in knowledge and self-efficacy in APNs following computer-assisted home study of The Pharmacology of Alcohol.
BACKGROUND
18 advanced practice nurses (APNs) evaluated a two contact hour home-study computer-assisted instructional (CAI) program on the pharmacology of alcohol developed by the author. Changes in knowledge and self-efficacy were measured immediately following program use and 5 months later.


METHODS
The APNs were recruited from two seminar sections of a traditional lecture-based continuing education course for nurses enrolled in a primary care nurse practitioner program. Participants completed cognitive and self-efficacy instruments in class pre-program use and 5 months post-program use. The APNs completed immediate post-program evaluation instruments at home and returned them by mail.


RESULTS
Significant gains in knowledge and self-efficacy with large effect sizes were achieved immediately following program use. Cognitive and self-efficacy scores decayed significantly 5 months post-program use but were still significantly greater than pre-program scores.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that continuing education in substance misuse or other pharmacology content may be effectively implemented at home via CAI.
Neafsey
P J
PJ
School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-3059, USA.
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003479:Curriculum; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol