An Effective Triage Education Method for Triage Nurses: An Overview and Update

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Accurate emergency department triage is vital for patient evaluation and treatment timelines.
• Nurses globally share learning traits and goals, yet utilize diverse triage scales.
• This review examines educational methods for optimizing triage nurse training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present diverse educational methods for triage training.
• To identify the most effective educational strategies for triage nurses.
• To enhance decision-making and patient care in emergency settings.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, CENTRAL, and CINAHL.
• Search terms included "Triage education" OR "triage training" AND "emergency nurses" OR "triage nurses".
• Studies were screened from November 12, 2023, to February 15, 2024.

Main Results:

• Various educational methods exist, including traditional, web-based, audiovisual, simulation, and blended learning.
• Most studies indicate educational interventions significantly improve nurses' triage knowledge.
• Study heterogeneity complicates direct comparisons and practical application.

Conclusions:

• Educational interventions generally enhance nurses' triage knowledge effectively.
• Blended learning combined with refresher courses improves triage knowledge and decision-making.
• Further research is necessary to confirm the long-term efficacy and superiority of blended learning.