Testing the satisfaction and feasibility of a computer-based teaching module in the neonatal intensive care unit.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the satisfaction with and feasibility of a computer-based teaching module to teach healthcare professionals how to use and apply the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) to clinical scenarios.


METHODS
Sixty-eight healthcare professionals who were employed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on a full-time or part-time basis and had received an educational session regarding the PIPP.


METHODS
A pilot study using an exploratory descriptive design was used to answer: (1) How satisfied are healthcare professionals with the computer-based teaching module? and (2) What is the feasibility of a computer-based teaching module in the clinical setting? Satisfaction was measured using an investigator-developed 5-point Likert scale. Feasibility was measured in terms of time to complete the module, satisfaction with instructions and ability to navigate through the module, acceptability of the module as a teaching method, and format with the computer-based module.


RESULTS
Ninety percent of those sampled were very satisfied with the computer-based teaching method. Use of video and audio clips and photographs enhanced the learning process. Healthcare professionals identified the computer-based teaching method as an effective way of learning about the PIPP and thought that it was feasible to use within the clinical setting.


CONCLUSIONS
Computer-based teaching is a feasible method for educating NICU healthcare professionals about the PIPP. Additional research is required to examine the effectiveness of this teaching method on relevant patient outcomes such as pain management.
Gibbins
Sharyn
S
Sunnybrook & Women's College, Health Sciences Centre, 76 Grenville Street, Room 456, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5A 1B2. sharyn.gibbins@sw.ca
Maddalena
Patricia
P
Yamada
Janet
J
Stevens
Bonnie
B
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000193:education*; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009864:Ontario; D010146:Pain / Q000451:nursing*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects