Asynchronous e-learning with technology-enabled and enhanced training for continuing education of nurses: a scoping...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• E-learning Technologies
• Continuing Professional Development

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to asynchronous e-learning for healthcare professionals.
• Clinical nurses' continuing education has largely adopted online learning formats.
• This review focuses on technologies, delivery, and effectiveness in asynchronous nursing education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of technologies used in asynchronous e-learning for clinical nurses' continuing education.
• To examine the modes of delivery and effectiveness of these technologies.
• To identify trends and gaps in the application of technology-enabled and enhanced training (TEET).

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review was conducted from 2011 to 2023.
• Six electronic databases were searched for relevant studies.
• The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) protocol guided the review.

Main Results:

• Sixty articles met the inclusion criteria, with a rise in diverse TEET options post-2017.
• Interactive online modules and video modules were the most common enabling technologies.
• Scenario-based learning, resource access, computer simulation/virtual reality, and gamification were key enhancing technologies, with knowledge acquisition being the most studied outcome.

Conclusions:

• Interactive TEET modules are prevalent in asynchronous e-learning for nurses.
• Limited research exists on advanced techniques like gamification and virtual reality for enhancing motivation.
• Increased adoption of asynchronous e-learning with advanced TEET is expected, necessitating objective outcome measures for knowledge and behavioral changes.