title: [The Learning Effectiveness of Nurses Participating in a Simulated Radiation Therapy Skin Care Workshop].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The skin reaction rate is 60-95% in cancer patients that receive radiation therapy. This therapy is likely to cause physical and mental discomfort and prolong treatment for patients. The current emphasis on lectures rather than practice to help nurses learn proper skin care practices likely imposes difficulties for nurses to handle various clinical situations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the learning effectiveness of a simulated radiation therapy skin care workshop for nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 34 nurses at a hospital in one health system in northern Taiwan who had never used radiation therapy to provide care to patients were enrolled in this quasi-experimental study. A single group pretest, posttest and post-posttest (6 weeks after intervention) approach was used. At the simulated radiation therapy skin care workshop, we used teaching strategies including Ausubel's direct instruction teaching method and practice on simulated wounds on pig skins. Outcomes were evaluated using "the questionnaire of radiation therapy skin care" and "direct observation of procedural skills checklist".
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results from the simulated radiation therapy skin care workshop were analyzed using GEE (generalized estimating equation). The post-posttest and posttest scores increased significantly; knowledge mean score 3.14 (< .001) vs 2.64 (< .001), attitude mean score 2.06 (p < .05) vs 2.24 (p < .001), and skill mean score 2.79 (p < .001) vs 1.68 (p < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The simulated radiation therapy skin care workshop demonstrated significant and positive effects on learning outcomes. Therefore, we recommend incorporating this workshop into clinical nursing education and training strategies in the future.
authors: MS, RN, Head Nurse, Department of Nursing, Sijhih Cathay General Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Yu-San
authors: YS
authors: Lee
authors: PhD, Associate Professor, Graduate Institute of Health Allied Education, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taiwan, ROC. yuhsiu@ntunhs.edu.tw.
authors: Yu-Hsiu
authors: YH
authors: Kao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education*; D017592:Skin Care / Q000451:nursing*
keywords: direct observation of procedural skills checklist; radiation therapy skin care; simulation; workshop