From Bedside to Webside: Telehealth Education for Doctoral Nursing Students

Telehealth has become a ubiquitous tool for healthcare providers. However, concepts of telehealth are missing from many Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) curricula. This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate telehealth education implementation into a Doctor of Nursing Practice curriculum.

The Iowa Model of Evidenced-Based Practice to Promote Quality Care guided the quality improvement project. An online module regarding telehealth was developed based on the American Telemedicine Association (ATA), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and HealthIT.gov and was integrated into an existing course. Students completed a pre and posttest regarding telehealth knowledge and levels of satisfaction with the online module.

Thirty-seven students participated in the program. Mean knowledge scores increased from 4.9 to 8.6, and the modal for satisfaction and self-confidence was strongly agree.

As telehealth is now a mainstream method of clinical practice, schools of nursing must adjust the curriculum to prepare nurses for this form of care delivery. An online module is a sustainable method of providing the foundation of knowledge for future expansion. Practicing via telehealth presents unique strengths and challenges. Nurses must be informed of the nuances and special considerations involved to safely practice using this distinctive care modality.