Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to hold a training course for the application of practical nursing to patients with intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP), and to determine level of satisfaction, degree of learning, and changes in practical skills among participants.
Method: Intensive care nurses with limited experience participated in a training course that used simulation-based education to teach practical nursing for patients with IABP, and were then asked to complete a questionnaire survey and undergo a semi-structured interview.
Results: All six participants responded that they were either "satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" in terms of level of satisfaction after training, preparatory study material, debriefings, the second simulation, and feedback. In regard to degree of learning, the six participants said they gained a deeper knowledge of "exploring the cause of" and of "how to respond to" IABP alarm situations, improved their "response skills," expanded their "understanding of patient status" and "knowledge of monitoring respiratory and cardiovascular systems", and enhanced their "patient repositioning skills". Three months after training, almost all participants exhibited a reduction in apprehension toward caring for patients with IABP as well as positive changes in their behaviors and thought processes.
Discussion: Level of satisfaction and degree of learning among the participants was high, and three factors are believed to be particularly important: preparatory study, involvement of facilitators and changes in behavior.
