Comparing the effect of electronic and lecture education of pain management on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of nurses: A randomized‑controlled trial

Efficient pain management by nursing staff initially needs accurate knowledge and proper attitude in this field. The aim of present study was to compare the effects of lecture and electronic education on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of nursing staff regarding pain management.

The present superiority randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms was conducted on 78 occupied nurses of surgery wards of X. The participants were recruited randomly and divided into two groups of lecture and electronic education through random blocking (4 and 6 blocks). For allocation concealment, coded nontransparent pockets numbered 1–78 containing the type of intervention were used. Educational material was presented using teacher‑centered method in lecture group, as well as through multimedia program using FLASH software in e‑learning group through 1‑h sessions for 4 weeks. Data on nurses were collected before and 4 weeks after the training using demographic questionnaire, Pain Management Principles Assessment Tool, Nurses’ Attitude Survey, and nursing practice checklist. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 24) utilizing descriptive and analytic statistical test such as Chi‑square, Fisher, independent t‑test, and ANCOVA. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Mean ± standard deviation of nurses’ knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding pain management had significant increase in both groups post‑training (P < 0.001). According to ANCOVA the mean postintervention knowledge score in e‑learning group by controlling baseline score had significant increase compared to the lecture group (adjusted mean difference [aMD] = 1.8: 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5–2.1, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the mean of total scores of post‑intervention attitude and practice in e‑learning group adjusted for baseline score significantly increased compared to lecture group (aMD = 1.8: 95% CI = 1.5–2.1, P < 0.001) and (aMD = 3.2: 95% CI = 2.7–3.6, P < 0.001).

Electronic education was more efficient than lecture education in increasing of knowledge, attitude, and practice on pain management among nursing staff.