title: The effectiveness of an e-learning course on medication calculation in nursing students: a clustered quasi-experimental study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of an e-learning course compared with a face-to-face lecture on medication calculation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The current knowledge on medication calculation of nursing students and nurses is insufficient to provide safe care.
  
  
  METHODS
  A stratified-clustered quasi-experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random selection of nursing schools were allocated to the e-learning course (intervention group) (seven schools; 189 students) or face-to-face lecture (control group) (six schools, 222 students). Students in both groups completed a validated medication calculation test (maximum score: 16) prior to the course (T0), immediately after the course (T1) and 3 months later (T2). A linear mixed model was used for data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Medication calculation skills improved significantly more by the face-to-face lecture than e-learning course. Students in both groups significantly improved in medication calculation skills immediately after the course (T1) and 3 months later. The results flattened at T2 with a significant decline in the intervention group between T1 and T2 and a non-significant decline in the control group. Based on a subgroup analysis, improvement in medication calculation skills at T2 could only be observed in vocational-level (sub degree) nursing students receiving a face-to-face course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both medication calculation courses had a positive effect on medication calculation skills. Students receiving traditional face-to-face lecture improved significantly more than the students receiving the e-learning course.
authors.affiliation: University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Aurélie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Lancker
authors.affiliation: Technical Institute of Higher Professional Education, Department Nurse Education, Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Katleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baldewijns
authors.affiliation: Nursing Department, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium.
authors.forename: Rik
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verhaeghe
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium.
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Robays
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium.
authors.forename: Franky
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buyle
authors.affiliation: Medical Informatics, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Roos
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Colman
authors.affiliation: University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium.|Nursing Department, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Hecke
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D054796:Drug Dosage Calculations; D020375:Education, Distance; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D012579:Schools, Nursing; D013338:Students, Nursing
keywords: drug dosage calculations; e-learning; education; non-randomized controlled trial; nursing