A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Planned Teaching Programme on Knowledge Regarding Telemedicine Among Nursing Students in a Selected College in Mumbai

Good health is central to human happiness and well-being that contributes significantly to prosperity and wealth and even economic progress, as healthy populations are more productive, save more and live longer. Telemedicine is the exchange of medical information from one location to another using electronic communication, which improves patient health status. Telemedicine has multiple applications and can be used for different services, which includes wireless tools, email, two-way video, smartphones, and other methods of telecommunications technology. A telemedicine appointment is just like a regular appointment. You will sit in front of a camera where you will be able to see yourself and your health care provider on the screen once your session begins. These appointments are also called virtual visits. Beginning more than 40 years ago with hospitals extending their services to patients in remote locations rapidly and has become an integrated part of specialty departments, hospitals, private doctor offices, home health care, and the consumer’s residence and workplace. Objective: To assess the pretest and posttest knowledge of student nurses regarding telemedicine. To assess the effectiveness of planned teaching program on knowledge regarding telemedicine. To find the association between knowledge of students regarding telemedicine with selected demographic variables. Hypothesis H0: There will be no change in knowledge of the students in relation to telemedicine. H01: There will be no association between the knowledge score with selected demographic variables in relation to telemedicine. Research Methodology: A descriptive, evaluative approach was used. The data gathering process begin on 1st January to 31st January. The investigator selects the nursing college and obtained the permission from the college authorities to conduct the study. The investigator selects the nursing students of 2nd year basic BSc nursing and talked with them. The investigator introduced self and briefly explained about the study, its purposes and process. There by a rapport was developed with the nursing students and a brief assessment was done to confirm whether they fulfil the inclusion and exclusion criteria selected for the study. The content of the consent form was explained. The investigator gave multiple choice questionnaires to nursing students to assess their knowledge regarding telemedicine. The instructions were given to read the options carefully and marked the circle at appropriate answer. Then after this planned teaching is given to them. 7 days’ time was given to go through the teaching plan and clarified the doubts. Then the post test was done. Major Finding of The Study Sample Characteristics: 1. Majority of the student with telemedicine were in the age group of 19-20. 2. Majority of the student’s average knowledge (43.3%) good (0%) and poor knowledge(56.6%)and (0%) having excellent knowledge. Knowledge on Telemedicine: 1. Majority of the nursing students were not aware about the telemedicine as they scored below 50% in the pre-test. 2. Most of the students scored above 50% in the post-test which shows the planned teaching was effective. Effects of Planned Teaching on Knowledge: 1. The mean pre-test and post-test knowledge score were 25% in pre-test and 75% in post-test respectively. 2. The calculated ‘t’ value (16.96) was greater than the table value of 2.05 which suggest that the planned teaching was effective in increasing the overall knowledge of the sample. 3. Hence the research hypothesis was accepted showing that there is significant difference between the mean pre-test and post-test knowledge score of the subjects.