Evaluation of an educational program for nurses on the care coordination of pleural mesothelioma patients: A pilot randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the care coordination of pleural mesothelioma program (CCOM program), an educational program that we developed for nurses to improve their knowledge, attitude, and confidence on the care coordination of pleural mesothelioma (PM) patients. METHODS: In this randomized controlled study relative to the CCOM program, we measured the self-reported total scores of knowledge, attitude, and confidence of nurses before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the CCOM program. The CCOM program consisted of a care guide and nine study videos featuring various aspects of PM (2 h 15 min) and a face-to-face workshop (3 h 30 min). Sixty participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 30; with program) and control group (n = 30; without program). Fifty-eight participants completed the study (intervention group, 28; control group, 30). The total scores of knowledge, attitude, and confidence at pre-test and post-test were compared using one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: At pre-test, the groups showed no significant differences in age, experience of taking care of PM patients, and working department, except for the years of experience as a nurse. The CCOM program improved the knowledge, attitude, and confidence in the intervention group, whereas the control group showed stability in the scores. Repeated measures ANOVA showed significantly greater beneficial changes in the intervention group on main measurement scores. CONCLUSIONS: The CCOM program was effective in improving the knowledge, attitude, and confidence of nurses on the care coordination of PM patients.