title: The effectiveness of an e-learning program on pediatric medication safety for undergraduate students: a pretest-post-test intervention study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Safe medication management is a major competency taught in the nursing curriculum. However, administering pediatric medications is considered a common clinical stressor for Taiwanese students. A supplemental e-learning program that helps students fill the gap between basic nursing skills and pediatric knowledge on medication safety was developed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of an e-learning program to increase pediatric medication management among students who take pediatric nursing courses.
  
  
  METHODS
  This intervention study used a historical comparison design.
  
  
  METHODS
  A university in Northern Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 349 undergraduate nursing students who took pediatric nursing courses participated. Eighty students in the comparison group received regular pediatric courses, including the lectures and clinical practicum; 269 students in the intervention group received an e-learning program, in addition to the standard pediatric courses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between February 2011 and July 2012 pediatric medication management, including pediatric medication knowledge and calculation ability, was measured at the beginning of the first class, at the completion of the lectures, and at the completion of the clinical practicum. The program was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention group had significantly higher pediatric medication management scores at completion of the lecture course and at the completion of the clinical practicum than the comparison group based on the first day of the lecture course, after adjusting for age, nursing program, and having graduated from a junior college in nursing. Overall, the students appreciated the program that included various teaching modalities content that related to the administration of medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using an e-learning program on pediatric medication management is an effective learning method in addition to sitting in a regular lecture course. The different emphases in each module, provided by experienced instructors, enabled the students to be more aware of their role in pediatric medication safety.
authors: School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, 365, Ming Te Rd. Peitou 11219, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. tzuying@ntunhs.edu.tw
authors: Tzu-Ying
authors: TY
authors: Lee
authors: Fang-Yi
authors: FY
authors: Lin
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D054796:Drug Dosage Calculations; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D061214:Patient Safety; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013624:Taiwan; D055815:Young Adult