Educational Strategies for Nursing

(Neo-VPP Trial)

No longer recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Ahmed Moussa, MD, FRCPC, FAAP, MSC

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ahmed Moussa

Disqualifiers: Neonatal transport nurses, Instructor

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to evaluate how two different teaching methods help nurses maintain their skills in neonatal resuscitation (helping newborns breathe). One group will engage in instructor-guided deliberate practice, while the other will use a tool for peer-guided practice. Nurses with at least one year of experience in neonatal care who have completed initial resuscitation training may be suitable candidates. The trial seeks to determine which teaching method best preserves skills over time. As an unphased trial, this study provides nurses the opportunity to enhance their skills and contribute to improving neonatal care practices.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these educational strategies are safe for nursing professionals?

Research has shown that learning about patient safety from peers can enhance knowledge and attitudes. However, few studies exist on this topic, and formal evaluations are lacking, limiting specific safety data.

Repeated immersive simulation, akin to peer-guided practice, has increased knowledge and self-confidence. While these outcomes are positive, they do not offer detailed safety information.

For instructor-guided practice, specific safety data from sources is unavailable. Nonetheless, this method is widely recognized as safe and well-tolerated.

In summary, both educational methods appear safe, but detailed information on specific safety outcomes is lacking. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores two innovative educational strategies for nursing. The first approach, repeated practice guided by peers, is unique because it encourages collaborative learning and self-reflection, allowing nurses to learn from each other in a more interactive and engaging way. This contrasts with the traditional instructor-guided deliberate practice, which relies on direct supervision and feedback from an instructor. By comparing these methods, the trial aims to determine if peer-guided practice can enhance skill retention and confidence among nursing professionals, potentially transforming how nursing education is delivered.

What evidence suggests that these educational strategies are effective for improving neonatal resuscitation skills?

This trial will compare two educational strategies for nursing: repeated practice guided by peers and instructor-guided deliberate practice. Research has shown that peer-assisted learning (PAL) effectively improves skills in healthcare education. A review found that PAL enhances skill development and information retention among health professionals. Another study demonstrated that peer-assisted simulations significantly enhance nursing education, making it a valuable tool for ongoing training. These findings suggest that repeated practice with peer guidance can effectively maintain skills in newborn resuscitation.

Conversely, traditional instructor-led learning, known as deliberate practice, is also recognized for skill acquisition. It involves structured practice with direct feedback, proven to help learners master complex skills. Both methods offer advantages, and evidence indicates that each can effectively help healthcare professionals maintain and improve their skills. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ahmed Moussa, MD, MMEd

Principal Investigator

St. Justine's Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for nursing professionals who are involved in neonatal resuscitation. It aims to help them maintain their technical skills over time. Participants should be currently practicing and have completed initial training in neonatal resuscitation.

Inclusion Criteria

I have completed training in neonatal resuscitation.

Registered or practical nurse working in neonatal intensive care at CHU Sainte-Justine

At least one year of experience in neonatology care at CHU Sainte-Justine

Exclusion Criteria

Neonatal transport nurses, due to their particular expertise which may introduce bias

Nurses that are instructors for neonatal resuscitation training

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training

Participants engage in educational activities focusing on maintaining technical skills in positive pressure ventilation (PPV) during neonatal resuscitation. Sessions are repeated three times over a three-month period.

12 weeks

3 sessions (in-person)

Assessment

Participants are assessed on their technical skills before and after the training using a clinical vignette and feedback is provided.

1 week

2 assessments (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants complete a final questionnaire to evaluate satisfaction, confidence, and feasibility of the educational tool.

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Instructor-guided deliberate practice
• Repeated practice guided by peers

Trial Overview The study is testing two educational methods to keep nurses' ventilation therapy skills sharp: one group will learn through peer-guided practice, while the other will use instructor-led sessions. Both groups use a mobile station with necessary equipment for Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV).

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Repeated practice guided by peers Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Intervention group which will use the educational tool during repeated practice guided by peers

Group II: Instructor-guided deliberate practice Active Control 1 Intervention

A control group that will use the traditional method, instructor-guided deliberate practice

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ahmed Moussa

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2

Recruited

300+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9691114/

Effectiveness of Educational Interventions to Increase Skills in ... Background: Using evidence-based practice (EBP) improves the implementation of safe, high-quality healthcare for patients, reduces avoidable costs, ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1471595325001970

A peer-driven approach to nursing education: Graduate ... The purpose of this article is to explore two peer-led initiatives that enhanced education for graduate and undergraduate students while ...

3. bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-024-06434-7

Effectiveness of Peer-Assisted Learning in health professional ... A scoping review of systematic reviews was conducted to synthesize existing evidence on the effectiveness of PAL in health professional education.

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11257163/

Effectiveness of Simulation-Based, Peer Learning ... The study provides substantial evidence that simulation-based peer learning is an effective tool for continuing nursing education.

5. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/nurseeducatoronline/fulltext/2024/05000/effectiveness_of_problem_based_learning_on.12.aspx

Effectiveness of Problem-Based Learning on Development ... The meta-analysis indicates that PBL can help nursing students to improve their critical thinking.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11900140/

Evaluating the outcomes of patient safety education ... This study aimed to identify the trends in scholarly research related to patient safety education programs and outcome evaluations in the field of nursing ...

7. bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12912-025-02858-8

Evaluating the outcomes of patient safety education programs ... This study aimed to identify the trends in scholarly research related to patient safety education programs and outcome evaluations in the field of nursing ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1471595323003281

Preparing for practice, the effects of repeated immersive ... Repeated immersive simulation, regardless of the model can improve the knowledge and self-efficacy of individual learners.

9. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5869746/

A Scoping Review of Peer-led Education in Patient Safety ... Peer-led education in patient safety shows improvements in knowledge and attitudes, but few studies exist, and formal evaluations are lacking.

10. psnet.ahrq.gov psnet.ahrq.gov/perspective/role-undergraduate-nursing-education-patient-safety

The Role of Undergraduate Nursing Education in Patient Safety This piece discusses how undergraduate professional nursing education integrates the topic of patient safety into classroom and clinical ...