Design and validation of a comprehensive educational program for stroke nursing care: a mixed methods study

Abstract

Background

Nurse education can assist in developing comprehensive stroke care. This study aimed to design and validate a comprehensive educational program for stroke nursing care.

Methods

This study employed a mixed-methods approach, emphasizing four of the six steps in Kern’s model of educational program development (needs assessment, initial design, goals and specific objectives, and educational strategy). It was conducted at Shohadaye Tajrish, Loghman-e Hakim, and Imam Hossein Hospitals in Tehran during 2023–2024. The initial phase consisted of a comprehensive needs assessment, a literature review, in-depth interviews with twenty nurses and patients, a careful review of patient documents and medical records, as well as direct observations of patient care. The interviews were analyzed with MAXQDA 20 software using the conventional content analysis method. Validation was conducted through two Delphi rounds, with an agreement level of more than 70% based on the frequency of responses in each round.

Results

Through the Delphi method, twenty experts participated in the evaluation and validation process. In the first round of Delphi, 30 learning topics achieved appropriate consensus (mean scores ranging from 2.33 to 3.55), while 2 topics (applying basic nursing concepts in patient care and providing nursing care based on the nursing process) were eliminated due to inappropriate consensus (mean scores ranging from 1 to 2.32). In the second Delphi round, the validation of the remaining 30 items was reexamined, which obtained an appropriate consensus. In the first round of the Delphi study, a significant Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was observed (Kendall’s W = 0.735, χ²=30.524, p < 0.01); however, after removing two items in the second round, this coefficient improved, indicating stronger agreement among the participants (Kendall’s W = 0.755, χ²=31.624, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

This study developed and validated an educational program focused on professional nursing care for stroke patients, recognizing the critical need for continuous education in the neurology department to update nurses’ knowledge and skills with the most current care methods and information.

Clinical trial number

Not applicable.