Effect of an Online Educational Program on Nurses' Knowledge of Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis

Abstract

Rapid online education is essential to equip nurses with new knowledge, such as how to care for incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD). We evaluated the effect of an online educational program on nurses' knowledge of IAD through a pretest-posttest study, examining how it changed nurses' IAD knowledge. Our 15-item knowledge test contained four categories: 1. IAD pathophysiology, 2. IAD identification and management, 3. Differences between IAD and pressure injuries, and 4. Visual vignettes. We recruited 73 nurses from January 2022 to October 2022 in a Singapore tertiary hospital. Mean baseline IAD knowledge was low, 8.19 out of 15. Mean overall knowledge improved significantly from 8.19 to 9.51 post-test (Mean difference = 1.32, 95% CI: 0.73–1.90, p < 0.001), reflecting a 30% increase in the proportion of participants with moderate to high knowledge after the program. Participants also improved in their IAD identification and management knowledge (Mean difference = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.40–1.00, p < 0.001). Our study found that an online program enhanced nurses' overall knowledge of IAD, especially in its identification and management. Combining an online program with other modes of learning, for example, face-to-face trainings, might result in a greater understanding of this skin injury. Our findings further highlight the importance of clinical experience, first-hand practicums and regular trainings in consolidating nurses' IAD knowledge. Computer-assisted instruction; education, nursing; incontinence-associated dermatitis; knowledge; online learning.