Evaluation of the nursing students' skills by DOPS

Background and purpose: Student assessment is an important issue in medical education. It is necessary to use objective, valid and reliable assessment methods that are appropriate to the learning objectives and domain.The objectives of this study were 1- Development of the DOPS test [Direct Observation Procedural Skills] and identification of its validity, reliability and acceptability. 2- Evaluation of the nursing students' skills by the DOPS test

Methods: First, the DOPS test was developed by reviewing the literatures and other related tools. Its validity was determined by computing the Content Validity Ratio [CVR] and Content Validity Index [CVI], based on the experts' panel opinions. Then, the clinical skills of the students in doing special procedures were evaluated by the DOPS test. The Cronbach Alpha coefficient was used to determine the DOPS reliability. To explore the satisfaction with the DOPS test, a questionnaire and VAS were used

Results: Based on the results, the DOPS test showed high content validity with CVR=1 and CVI=0.94. The reliability of the DOPS test confirmed alpha>0.7. The respondents held a positive attitude toward the DOPS test with mean satisfaction greater than 8. The performance of the majority of students in doing special procedures was good based on the DOPS scores

Conclusions: The DOPS test is a suitable evaluation method to assess the students' procedural skills objectively because of its high validity, reliability and acceptability. To evaluate all aspects of the students' performance the DOPS test should be combined with other clinical performance tests

[Nursing students' clinical evaluation in students and teachers views]

Evaluation is an important part of educational process. To reach evaluation's objectives, we need an accurate and effective evaluation method. The aim of this study was review of nursing students' and their teachers' view about clinical evaluation method. This descriptive study was done in one of universities in Tehran at 2010-2011. All nursing students in bachelor course which studying in 8-2 semester [217] and, their clinical instructors [41] were population of the study. Sample size in students' and instructors' group was 197 and 29 participants, respectively. Data collection tool was a questionnaire and satisfaction form which their content validity was confirmed by experts. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16. The results showed the majority of students [73.6%] and teachers [75.9%] are object with current clinical evaluation method and think this is inappropriate. Also, according to the results 59.9% of students and 37.9% were unsatisfied with the current evaluation method. Most of the students [96.4%] told in this method of evaluation they do not receive any feedback. 79.6% of them believed current evaluation is based on teachers' idea about students, not student performance. According to the results, both students and teacher believed an evaluation method is insufficient when it is just one global form that is completed based on teacher idea without any rules. So, it is necessary to change the current evaluation method and apply other clinical evaluation methods to have more accurate and precise judgment about clinical performance of students

Relationship between preventive behaviors and knowledge regarding cardiovascular diseases

Modification of unhealthy life style is a preventive method in cardiovascular diseases. It seems that education which results in enhancing knowledge would improve the life style. For developing effective educational plans, it is required to evaluate the knowledge and performance of the patients. So, this study aimed to determine the relationship between the teachers' preventive behaviors and their knowledge on cardiovascular risk factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted in five zones of Ministry of Education in Tehran. Seven hundred and three teachers participated in the study. Multi-stage sampling was used to gather data using a self-report questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, risk factors of CAD, and related modifiable behaviors. Data were analyzed using Pearson coefficient test to determine correlations. The results showed that the majority of participants [67%] had good knowledge on cardiovascular risk factors with the mean scores of 15.20+2.63 out of 20. Stress was found to be the most recognized risk factor [95.3%]. Knowledge about diabetes [61.2%] and gender [17.6%] were in the lowest level. Regarding prevention, just 27.7% of the participants reported healthy nutrition. Some of the patients [35.6%] exercised regularly and majority of them [77.7%] were not active or passive smokers. Pearson coefficient did not find any significant relationship between knowledge level and preventive behaviors among teachers. According to our findings, teachers' knowledge level on cardiovascular risk factors was good; but it did not result in healthy practice. Therefore, providing effective educational programs about healthy life style can improve their daily life practices, as well as it can affect the knowledge and practice of their students about prevention of CAD

Correletes of age, sex and postoperative homodynamic status with extubation time after coronary artery bipass graft

Mechanical ventilation after open-heart surgery is one of the essential practices in patients. Awareness about some variables which are associated with extubation time; is necessary for decision making about the appropriate time for this procedure. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sex, age and postoperative homodynamic status are associated with extubation time after Coronary Artery Bipass Graft [CABG]. The research was conducted in a university-affiliated hospital in Tehran. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected by reviewing of 93 records of eligible patients by convenience sampling method. Data collecting tool was a checklist and data analyzed by chi-square and regression analysis. Fourty three percent of patients were extubated in 6 hours or less and 57% of them were extubated in more than 6 hours after surgery. The mean of intubation time was 7.19 +/- 3.00 hours, with a range of 3.00-18.25 hours. Age was the only variable that was found to be statistically significant to extubation time [P<0.05]. According to the findings, age is associated with intubation time after CABG. Therefore, nurses should take into the account this factor to make decision regarding the time of extubation in older patients

[Preoperative variables associated with extubation time in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery]

Decreasing mechanical ventilation and early extubation after cardiac surgery are the important scientific subjects that their clinical and financial benefits had been demonstrated. There are some variables that are associated with extubation time so, determination of them will help nurses to plan appropriate care aimed at doing an early and safe extubation. The purpose of this descriptive-analytic study was to determine whether any preoperative variable had a significant effect on extubation time after CABG. The research was conducted in one of hospitals in Tehran city. In this retrospective study, data were collected by reviewing of files of eligible patients who were undergoing CABG from December 2003 to March 2005. 93 files reviewed by convenience sampling method. Collecting data tool was a checklist consists of three parts: 1] demographic characteristics 2] health and disease history 3] physiologic status. Samples divided into two groups: early and delayed extubation [>6h]. Data analysis was performed by descriptive methods, chi square, fisher exact test and regression analysis. Mean and standard deviation of duration time of intubation was 7.19 +/- 3.00 with range of 3-18.25 hours in all samples. Totally 43% of subjects extubated in 6h. Age was the only preoperative variable that was found to be statistically significant to extubation time [p=0.01]. According to our findings age is associated with postoperative intubation time after CABG. It means older patients need to be under long mechanical ventilation. So, nurses should make a decision on extubation in older patients, carefully