Computer-based instruction for improving student nurses’ general numeracy: is it effective? Two randomised trials

Abstract

In response to concern over the numeracy skills deficit displayed by student nurses, an online computer programme, “Authentic World®”, which aims to simulate a real-life clinical environment and improve the medication dosage calculation skills of users, was developed (Founded in 2004 Authentic World Ltd is a spin out company of Glarmorgan and Cardiff Universities, Cardiff, Wales UK.). Two randomised controlled trials were conducted, each at a UK University, in order to investigate the impact of Authentic World® on student nurses’ general numeracy abilities. All first year nursing students who gave consent were randomised equally into an intervention or control group. The intervention group were given access to Authentic World®. The primary outcome measure was the students’ scores on a general numeracy test. The Intention to Treat (ITT) analysis in both trials revealed a small negative effect of Authentic World® on general numeracy, which was statistically significant in one trial. However, compliance with the intervention was very low in both trials, with only 24 and 12% of students allocated to the intervention groups spending more than 15 minutes using the programme. Providing nursing students with access to Authentic World® is not an effective use of resources since use of the programme appears to be very low.

Keywords:

• numeracy
• student nurses
• RCT
• Authentic World®

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank: Ann Wilson (Coventry University) for help in conducting the tests at Site 2; Veronica Morton (University of York) for statistical advice; and Dr Vivien Hendry (University of York) for reading drafts. We would also to like to thank all the participants for taking part.

Notes

*N = 52 for intervention group and N = 55 for control group.

**N = 54 for intervention group and N = 52 for control group.

*N = 82 for intervention group and N = 81 for control group.

**N = 77 for intervention group and N = 77 for the control group.