Development, implementation and evaluation of a disaster training programme for nurses: A Switching Replications randomized controlled trial

BackgroundTraining efforts in disaster education need to provide updated knowledge, skills and expertise to nurses through evidence-based interventions.AimThe purpose of the study was the development, implementation and evaluation of an educational programme for nurses regarding the provision of health care during disasters.MethodsA randomized controlled trial using Switching Replications design was conducted for the evaluation of the programme. 207 hospital-based nurses were randomly assigned into intervention (n = 112) and original control (n = 95) groups. Changes between groups and over time were measured by questionnaire and used as the outcome measure to demonstrate effectiveness of the training intervention.ResultsThe intervention improved nurses' knowledge and self-confidence levels while no significant changes were detected in behavioral intentions. A significant increase in the mean knowledge score was observed in both groups in times 2 and 3 compared to time 1 [pre-test: 6.43 (2.8); post-test: 16.49 (1.7); follow-up test: 13.5 (2.8)], (P < 0.002). Changes in knowledge between intervention and control group were significantly different (P < 0.001) with a large effect size (eta-squared = 0.8).ConclusionsThe training programme was feasible and effective in improving nurses' knowledge concerning disaster response.