title: Use of the step-up action research model to improve trauma-related nursing educational practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A lack of authentic learning opportunities influence the quality of emergency training of nursing students. The purpose of this article is to describe how the step-up action research model was used to improve the quality of trauma-related educational practice of undergraduate nursing students.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To reduce deaths caused by trauma, healthcare workers should be competent to provide emergency care and collaborate effectively with one another.
  
  
  METHODS
  A simulated mass casualty incident, structured to support the integration of theory into practice, became a more rigorous action research activity which focused on the quality improvement of the mass casualty incident.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated improved student learning; partnership appreciation; improved student coping mechanisms, and increased student exposure. Quality emergency training thus results in better real-life collaboration in emergency contexts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The step-up action research model proved to be a collaborative and flexible process. To improve the quality and rigour of educational programmes it is therefore recommended that the step-up action research model be routinely used in the execution of educational practices.
authors: School of Nursing, University of the Free State. sealei@ufs.ac.za.
authors: Ielse
authors: I
authors: Seale
authors: Johanna C
authors: JC
authors: De Villiers
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D013338:Students, Nursing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000451:nursing*