title: Effectiveness of an Internet-based learning program on venous leg ulcer nursing care in home health care--study protocol.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the study protocol for a study of the effectiveness of an internet-based learning program on venous leg ulcer nursing care (eVLU) in home health care.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of venous leg ulcers is increasing as population age. The majority of these patients are treated in a municipal home healthcare setting. However, studies show nurses' lack of knowledge of ulcer nursing care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi-experimental study with pre- and postmeasurements and non-equivalent intervention and comparison groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the study, nurses taking care of patients with a chronic leg ulcer in home health care in one Finnish municipality will use the eVLU. Nurses working in home health care in another Finnish municipality will not use it providing standard care. Nurses will complete three questionnaires during the study and they will also be observed three times at patients' homes. Nurses' perceived and theoretical knowledge is the primary outcome of the study. Funding for this study was received from the Finnish Foundation for Nursing Education in 2014.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data from this study will provide information about the effectiveness of an internet-based educational program. After completing the program nurses will be accustomed to using internet-based resources that can aid them in the nursing care of patients with a VLU. Nurses will also have better knowledge of VLU nursing care. This study is registered with the International Clinical Trials Registry, identifier NCT02224300.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Minna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ylönen
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Turku University Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: Jaakko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Viljamaa
authors.affiliation: Statcon Ltd, Salo, Finland.
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Isoaho
authors.affiliation: Group Administration, Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Kristiina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Junttila
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Finland.|Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leino-Kilpi
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Suhonen
mesh_terms: D003071:Cognition; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D005387:Finland; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000451:nursing*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010465:Perception; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods
keywords: education; home healthcare; internet-based education; learning; nurse; study protocol; venous leg ulcer