Access to, interest in and attitude toward e-learning for continuous education among Malaysian nurses
- Authors: Chong, Meichan , Francis, Karen , Cooper, Simon J. , Abdullah, Khatijah Lim , Hmwe, Nant , Sohod, Salina
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nurse Education Today Vol. 36, no. (2016), p. 370-374
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Continuous nursing education (CNE) courses delivered through e-learning is believed to be an effective mode of learning for nurses. Implementation of e-learning modules requires pre-assessment of infrastructure and learners' characteristics. Understanding the learners' needs and their perspectives would facilitate effective e-learning delivery by addressing the underlying issues and providing necessary support to learners. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine access to computer and Internet facilities, interest in and preferences regarding e-learning, and attitudes toward e-learning among nurses in Peninsular Malaysia. Design: The study utilized a cross-sectional descriptive survey. Setting: Government hospitals and community clinics in four main regions of Peninsular Malaysia. Participants: A total of 300 registered nurses. Method: Data were collected using questionnaires, which consisted of demographic and background items and questions on access to computer and Internet facilities, interest and preferences in e-learning, and attitudes toward e-learning. Descriptive analysis and a chi-squared test were used to identify associations between variables. Results: Most Malaysian nurses had access to a personal or home computer (85.3%, n=256) and computer access at work (85.3%, n=256). The majority had Internet access at home (84%, n=252) and at work (71.8%, n=215); however, average hours of weekly computer use were low. Most nurses (83%, n=249) did not have an e-learning experience but were interested in e-learning activities. Most nurses displayed positive attitudes toward e-learning. Average weekly computer use and interest in e-learning were positively associated with attitudes toward e-learning. Conclusion: Study findings suggest that organizational support is needed to promote accessibility of information and communications technology (ICT) facilities for Malaysian nurses to motivate their involvement in e-learning. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
Current continuing professional education practice among Malaysian nurses
- Authors: Chan Chong, Mei , Francis, Karen , Cooper, Simon J. , Abdullah, Khatijah Lim
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nursing Research and Practice. Vol. 2014, Article ID 126748
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Nurses need to participate in CPE to update their knowledge and increase their competencies. This research was carried out to explore their current practice and the future general needs for CPE. This cross-sectional descriptive study involved registered nurses from government hospitals and health clinics from Peninsular Malaysia. Multistage cluster sampling was used to recruit 1000 nurses from four states of Malaysia. Self-explanatory questionnaires were used to collect the data, which were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Seven hundred and ninety-two nurses participated in this survey. Only 80% (562) of the nurses had engaged in CPE activities during the past 12 months. All attendance for the various activities was below 50%. Workshops were the most popular CPE activity (345, 43.6%) and tertiary education was the most unpopular activity (10, 1.3%). The respondents did perceive the importance of future CPE activities for career development. Mandatory continuing professional education (MCPE) is a key measure to ensure that nurses upgrade their knowledge and skills; however, it is recommended that policy makers and nurse leaders in the continuing professional development unit of health service facilities plan CPE activities to meet registered nurses’ (RNs) needs and not simply organizational requirements.