Immediate and enduring changes in knowledge and self-efficacy in APNs following computer-assisted home study of The Pharmacology of Alcohol.

Abstract

18 advanced practice nurses (APNs) evaluated a two contact hour home-study computer-assisted instructional (CAI) program on the pharmacology of alcohol developed by the author. Changes in knowledge and self-efficacy were measured immediately following program use and 5 months later. The APNs were recruited from two seminar sections of a traditional lecture-based continuing education course for nurses enrolled in a primary care nurse practitioner program. Participants completed cognitive and self-efficacy instruments in class pre-program use and 5 months post-program use. The APNs completed immediate post-program evaluation instruments at home and returned them by mail. Significant gains in knowledge and self-efficacy with large effect sizes were achieved immediately following program use. Cognitive and self-efficacy scores decayed significantly 5 months post-program use but were still significantly greater than pre-program scores. These findings indicate that continuing education in substance misuse or other pharmacology content may be effectively implemented at home via CAI.