Comparison of the Effects of E-learning Blended with Collaborative Learning and Lecture-Based Teaching Approaches on Academic Self-Efficacy among Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Introduction: Applying new technologies in teaching has led to the phenomenon of blended learning (BL), which is currently flourishing as a specific requirement for higher self-efficacyand success in increasingly complex healthcare environments. Although various forms of novel education are on the rise worldwide, the effects of electronic learning (EL), combined withcollaborative learning (CL) and lecture-based teaching (LBT) approaches, have not yet been validated on academic self-efficacy among undergraduate nursing students.Methods: Utilizing a pre-/post-test comparison-group design, this quasi-experimental study was conducted on 70 undergraduate nursing students of Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran, selected by the census sampling technique in 2020. The eligible participants were allocated to intervention groups, viz., the EL+LBT group (n=34) and the EL+CL group (n=36). A learning management system (LMS) was used for both intervention groups along with the LBT approach, and then 10 steps were integrated into the CL approach during 14 sessions, lasting 150 minutes. Afterward, a demographic information form and the College Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (CASES) were administered to collect the data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent-samples t-test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: No significant difference was observed in the CASE scores between the students were taught using the EL+LBT (113.76±16.98) and the EL+CL approaches (107.66±16.70) beforethe interventions (P=0.136). However, the CL+EL approaches resulted in the highest changes in the CASE scores at the pre-(107.66±16.70) and post-test (119.08±25.49) stages (P=0.019). Moreover, the female students attending the CL+EL classrooms experienced significantly positive differences in their CASE scores (127.12±30.34), compared to the males (112.65±19.30) (P=0.011).Conclusion: Blending the EL and CL approaches significantly promoted CASE among the undergraduate nursing students in this study by providing sufficient collaboration, essential educational equipment, and better technical support

The effectiveness of the robotic game kit on anxiety among hospitalized preschool children: A non-randomized controlled trial

Background &amp; Aim: Hospitalization is a challenging experience all children go through in their lives, leading to their utmost anxiety. In this sense, interactive games and activities can help ease this psychological burden. Therefore, we endeavored to determine the effectiveness of a robotic game kit (RGK) on the anxiety of hospitalized preschoolers.&#x0D; Methods &amp; Materials: This non-randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in a pediatric hospital, Iran, between March and July 2019. 59 participants were assigned to intervention (n=30) or control (n=29) groups through available sampling. Inclusion criteria were Iranian native children aged 3-7 years with communication ability. The RGK was applied in eight sessions at least seven consecutive days of hospitalization. The collected data by using the demographic information form and the preschool anxiety scale (PAS) were analyzed in descriptive, chi-square, t-test, the one-way ANCOVA (analysis of covariance), and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).&#x0D; Results: Two groups were homogenous in terms of demographic variables (p&gt;0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean score of PAS before the intervention in the intervention 46.33±15.81 and control groups 37.24±19.65 (p=0.055). However, the mean score of PAS in the intervention group was significantly lower than the control group (P=0.030). Also, using the RGK was effective in two subscales related to separation anxiety and physical injury fears (P=0.034).&#x0D; Conclusion: The modern RGKs could have a significant place in pediatric health care in hospitals. It is thus an undeniable fact that high-quality, comprehensive care can be boosted through RGK based interventions for children encountering stressful situations.</jats:p

Clinical Belongingness and its Relationship with Clinical Self-Efficacy among Nursing Students: A Descriptive Correlational Study

Background: Clinical self-efficacy (CSE) plays a pivotal role in safe and quality nursing care delivery. Clinical Belongingness (CB) is a major factor in the clinical practice of nursing students. Objective: This study aimed to assess CSE and CB and their relationship among nursing students. Methods: This descriptive, correlational study was conducted in 2019 in the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery of Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. Participants were 216 eligible 3rd and 4th-year nursing students. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Belongingness Scale-Clinical Placement Experience, and the Self-Efficacy in Clinical Performance Questionnaire. The Pearson correlation analysis, the independent-sample t-test, the one-way analysis of variance, and the linear regression analysis were performed for the data analysis. Results: The total mean scores of CSE and CB were, respectively, 134.02 ± 20.62 and 121 ± 16.79, indicating moderate CSE and high CB. CB had significant positive correlation with CSE and was a significant predictor of it (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Nursing students have high CB and moderate CSE, and their CB is a significant positive predictor of their CSE. University authorities are recommended to develop clear strategies to improve nursing students' CSE through improving their CB

The effect of implementing collaborative care model on diet compliance in hemodialysis patients

Non-compliance to diet and increased fluid intake can lead to unpleasant side effects and premature mortality in hemodialysis patients. Intervention strategies in educational and cognitive-behavioral domains can be used to improve diet compliance and restrict fluid intake in hemodialysis patients. The present study aimed to implement a participatory care model on diet compliance in patients undergoing hemodialysis referred to the Urmia Hemodialysis Center of Urmia in 1397. The present study is an experimental-randomized study that was performed on 60 patients undergoing diet without hemodialysis referring to Urmia Hemodialysis Center of Urmia. From 175 patients undergoing hemodialysis based on laboratory parameters of non-compliance patients and 60 patients were selected based on simple randomization and were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. After intervention steps of participatory care, diet compliance of the two groups was compared using the results of the comparable laboratory parameters. Analysis of the results of the present study showed that the collaborative care model significantly improved the results of laboratory parameters related to diet compliance in the intervention group compared to the results of the laboratory parameters before the intervention and the control group.</jats:p

The health-related quality of life in Iranian patients with COVID-19

Abstract Background COVID-19 is a public health emergency with a high mortality rate and it reduces the patient’s Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) significantly. This effect is measured in the current study. Methods In a cross-sectional study in Iran, 320 randomly selected treated patients from COVID-19 were studied. To collect the required data, we applied a questionnaire that included socio-demographic factors, clinical characteristics, and questions on the patients’ HRQoL. Time trade-off (TTO) approach was used to measure the lost HRQoL attributed to COVID-19. Besides, we applied a two-limit Tobit regression model to determine the effects of the socio-demographic factors on patients’ health utility and the visual analogue scale approach was used to estimate the perceived total current health status. Results The overall mean (SE) and median (IQR) of the health utility values were 0.863 (0.01) and 0.909 (0.21) respectively. These values for the traders (those who were willing to lose a part of their remaining time of life to avoid the disease) were estimated at 0.793 (0.01) and 0.848 (0.17), respectively. The lowest amount of utility value belonged to the elderly (mean (SE) = 0.742 (0.04); median (IQR) = 0.765 (0.42)) and those living in rural areas (mean (SE)) = 0.804 (0.03); median (IQR) = 0.877 (0.30)). The univariate analysis showed that age, place of residence, and household size had a statistically significant effect on health utility. Moreover, findings of the regression analysis indicated that the participants’ age and hospitalization status were the key determinants of COVID-19 health utility value. Conclusion COVID-19 is associated with a substantial and measurable decrease in HRQoL. This decline in HRQoL can be directly compared with that induced by systemic health states. </jats:sec