Development of emergency nursing educational materials in Lao People's Democratic Republic: a methodological study

This study aimed to develop contextualized emergency nursing educational materials tailored to the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Emergency nurses in Lao PDR face challenges arising from the lack of standardized, culturally relevant learning resources. Existing materials are often adopted from other countries and do not adequately reflect local needs, contributing to inconsistencies in clinical practice. Developing locally tailored resources, supported by official development assistance, is therefore essential for improving emergency nursing education and practice.

This study used a methodological design based on the Four-Door Model-Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate-from 2021 to 2024. A situational analysis was conducted using a mixed-methods approach that included a quantitative survey of 70 nursing professionals and qualitative interviews with 52 stakeholders. Content validity and suitability were evaluated by a panel of six local experts using standardized validation forms and the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM).

Ten emergency nursing domains were developed to address both universal principles, including triage protocols and life support interventions, and Lao PDR-specific challenges. Validity and suitability were supported by a SAM score of 77.3%, indicating clinical accuracy and cultural appropriateness. The 269-page coursebook was distributed to partner nursing colleges, three central hospitals, and international organizations.

This study developed the first comprehensive emergency nursing educational materials tailored to the Lao PDR context and written in the local language. These materials support continuing professional development and license renewal every 5 years. They also exemplify an international development paradigm that prioritizes recipient-country ownership and sustainable capacity building through collaborative knowledge creation.