ABSTRACT
Introduction: Collaborative testing is a learning strategy that provides students with the opportunity to learn and practice collaboration. This study aimed to determine the effect of collaborative testing on test performance and retention of course content in nursing students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out on 84 students enrolled in the course of Medical-Surgical 2 in Spring 2013 and Fall 2013 semesters. The control group consisting of 39 students participated in the first mid-term exam in an individual format. The intervention group, on the other hand, consisted of 45 students who took the test in a two-stage process. The first stage included an individual testing, while the second stage was a collaborative one given in groups of five individuals chosen randomly. Four weeks later, in order to investigate retention of the course content, both groups took part in the second mid-term exam held individually
Results: The study findings showed significant difference between the mean scores in the intervention group in the Fall 2013 semester [p=0.001]. Besides, a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the tests mean scores [p=0.001]. Moreover, retention of course content improved in the collaborative group [p=0.001]
Conclusion: The results indicated an increase in test performance and a long-term learning enhancement in collaborative testing compared with the traditional method. Collaborative testing, as an active learning technique and a valuable assessment method, can help nursing instructors provide the alumni with strong problem solving and critical thinking abilities at healthcare environments
ABSTRACT
Pain on mid sternotomy incision site after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery [CABG] is a common problem that causes sleep disturbance, delayed wound healing, and increased use of analgesic drugs. Massage therapy which is mostly performed by healthcare providers is a nonpharmacological approach for managing this pain. The present study aimed to determine the effect of massage therapy by patient's companion on the severity of pain in post CABG patients. In this randomized single-blind clinical trial, 70 post CABG patients were randomly divided into an intervention and a control group. The intervention group received massage by one of their relatives who was trained by an expert nurse. The control group, on the other hand, received routine care. The pain intensity was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] before and immediately, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after the intervention. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software [version 16] and analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and post-hoc test [Scheffe]. At the beginning of the study, no significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the pain severity. In the intervention group, the pain severity significantly decreased in all the four time points after the intervention [P=0.001]. However, no significant difference was observed in this regard in the control group. Massage therapy by patient's companion trained by a nurse was an effective strategy for pain management in post CABG patients. This could also promote the patient's family participation in the process of care
ABSTRACT
Life-threatening and stressful events, such as myocardial infarction [MI] can lead to an actual crisis, which affects the patients spiritually as well as physically, psychologically, and socially. However, the focus of health care providers is on physical needs. Furthermore, the spirituality of the patients experiencing heart attack in the light of our cultural context is not well addressed in the literature. This study is aimed at exploring the spiritual experiences of the survivors of the MI. In this qualitative research a grounded theory approach was used. Key informants were 9 MI patients hospitalized in the coronary care units of 3 hospitals in Shiraz. In addition, 7 nurses participated in the study. In-depth interviews and a focus group were used to generate data. Data analysis was done based on Strauss and Corbin method. Constant comparison analysis was performed until data saturation. Five main categories emerged from the data, including perceived threat, seeking spiritual support, referring to religious values, increasing faith, and realization. The latter with its 3 subcategories was recognized as core category and represents a deep understanding beyond knowing. At the time of encountering MI, spirituality provided hope, strength, and peace for the participants. Based on the results we can conclude that connecting to God, religious values, and interconnectedness to others are the essential components of the participants' spiritual experience during the occurrence of MI. Spirituality helps patients to overcome this stressful life-threatening situation.