Positive Impact on Critical Care Knowledge Acquisition and Skills of VietnameseNurses through an Online Standardized Training Program

Abstract

Background Improved access to healthcare, increasing elderly population, growing incidence of chronic diseases, combined with the high prevalence of accidents and infectious diseases are driving the demand for critical care services in acute hospitals. However, low and middle-income countries not only have a shortage of critical care nurses, but there are also gaps in their graduate, post-graduate, and specialized training as well as in their continuing education to support them in their role.

Methods This quality improvement project aimed to assess the effect of a web-based group study program on knowledge acquisition and skills and competency development of critical care nurses at seven private,not-for-profit hospital sites within a hospital system in Vietnam. The Essentials of Critical Care Orientation 4.0 course from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses was delivered to two cohorts of ICU nurses who worked in critical care. Course content was translated in Vietnamese. The program leveraged a preceptor-facilitator-learner model that depended on group discussions and self-learning. Program effectiveness was evaluated using quantitative pre- and post-test design, combined with a post-program survey.

ResultsAverage post-test scores of the first cohort increased by 34.0% over pre-test while those of the second cohort increased by an average 41.0%.Post-program survey revealed that all learners were satisfied with the quality of content, the web-based delivery system, content translation and the overall teaching methodology. Learners also demonstrated greater confidence in delivering safe, proactive patient care.

Conclusion The utilization of an online, standardizedwestern education program, translated to Vietnamese,delivered through a facilitator-group learning model is successful in increasing the knowledge level of Vietnamize critical care nurses.