Virtual Training Boosts Nursing Students' Intentions to Engage in Evidence-Based Practice

Strategic Insights -

Research at the Kerman University of Medical Sciences in Iran has demonstrated the effectiveness of a virtual training program in enhancing nursing students' intentions to engage in evidence-based practice (EBP). The study, published in BMC Health Services Research, investigated the impact of a one-module virtual training program on 79 nursing students' intentions to engage in EBP. The results showed a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups, with the intervention group reporting higher intentions to engage in EBP after the training.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that a virtual training program can significantly improve nursing students' intentions to engage in EBP.
  • Prior to the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.
  • Post-intervention results indicated a statistically significant difference, with the intervention group reporting higher intentions to engage in EBP compared to the control group.
  • The study demonstrated that the improvement within the intervention group was statistically significant, whereas the change observed in the control group was not.
  • Health policymakers, planners, and healthcare providers should prioritize strategies that empower and equip nursing students with EBP competencies.

Statistics:

  • The study included 79 nursing students in the sixth and eighth semesters of the School of Nursing.
  • The virtual training program was delivered to the intervention group, which consisted of 40 students.
  • The control group consisted of 39 students.
  • The pre-intervention questionnaires showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.15).
  • Post-intervention results indicated a statistically significant difference, with the intervention group reporting higher intentions to engage in EBP (44.62 ± 3.67) compared to the control group (36.56 ± 3.53), demonstrating a statistically significant difference (p = 0.03).
  • The improvement within the intervention group was statistically significant, with a paired t-test confirming a significant change within the group (p = 0.02).
  • The change observed in the control group was not statistically significant, with a paired t-test showing no significant change within the group (p = 0.06).

Sources:

  • BMC Health Services Research, Effectiveness of virtual training on nursing students' intentions to engage in evidence-based practice: a case study in Iran. BMC Health Services Research, 2025;25(1):650.
  • Biomed Central, www.biomedcentral.com.