Abstract
Introduction: Nursing as a discipline and a profession is following to meet the needs
of clients in clinical settings. The nurse participation and cooperation in the programs of
diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy has not been recorded in Iran. On the other hand,
health care system needs to provide specialized care for patients under endoscopy. The aim
of this study was to develop a professional curriculum for endoscopy nurse education in Iran.
Method: This was a study to approve the content and curriculum for endoscopy nurse
education in Iran using the Delphi method. This study carried out in three phases; a review of
the literature on endoscopy nursing courses and training program in the world; assessment
of expert groups and individuals associated with gastrointestinal endoscopy; and finally, a
consensus on the curriculum of nursing endoscopy and its implementation.
Results: Based on the endoscopy nurse training needs, eight priorities for education
endoscopy nurse including theory, practical, and clinical professional was determined. Total
hours of training were 210 hours, including 140 hours for theoretical and practical courses
and 70 hours of clinical training. Different strategies were used to teach the theoretical and
practical subjects. For theoretical teaching, lectures, group work, and self-learning were
applied. Role Playing and simulation were used for practical training; and for clinical
training, endoscopy clinical practice settings were determined.
Conclusion: This training program was based on a participant survey on the digestive
endoscopy and educational needs. This educational curriculum involved learning different
areas of knowledge, attitudes, and skills for nurses to train caring of patients undergoing
gastrointestinal endoscopy through an inter-professional education program. These special
nursing educational programs can be contributed to the professional development of Iranian
nurses
