The Impact of Training Program on Nurse's Knowledge and Skills of Myocardial Infarction Screening by Using...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Nursing Education
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Nurses frequently interpret electrocardiograms (ECGs), necessitating robust knowledge and skills.
• Effective myocardial infarction screening relies on accurate ECG interpretation by nursing staff.
• Existing knowledge and skill deficits among nurses regarding ECG interpretation were identified.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a training program designed to enhance nurses' knowledge and skills in 12-lead ECG interpretation for myocardial infarction screening.
• To assess the impact of the training on nurses' ability to perform and interpret ECGs accurately.
• To determine the long-term retention of improved knowledge and skills post-intervention.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive case-control study was conducted across four hospitals in Sudan, with two hospitals randomly assigned to the intervention group and two to the control group.
• Data on nurses' knowledge and skills were collected using a structured questionnaire and direct observation checklist before and after the training program.
• A follow-up assessment was performed three months later on the intervention group to evaluate knowledge and skill retention.

Main Results:

• Baseline ECG knowledge and skills were comparable between the intervention and control groups, indicating no significant pre-existing differences.
• Following the training, the intervention group demonstrated significantly higher knowledge scores (22.94 vs. 12.64, P < .001) and skill scores (25.52 vs. 16.12, P < .001) compared to the control group.
• The improvements in knowledge (M = 20.42) and skills (M = 24.64) were sustained in the intervention group at the three-month follow-up (P < .001).

Conclusions:

• The study highlights initial deficiencies in nurses' knowledge and skills related to ECG-based myocardial infarction screening.
• The implemented training program proved highly effective in significantly improving both the knowledge and practical skills of nursing staff.
• The training intervention demonstrated a lasting positive impact on nurses' competence in ECG interpretation for critical cardiac event screening.