Effect of rapid cycle deliberate practice in peripheral intravenous catheters insertion training: A simulation experimental study

Abstract

Aim: to compare the effect of rapid cycle deliberate practice simulation training with skill-training simulation on peripheral intravenous catheter insertion for Licensed Practical Nurses.

Background: The use of peripheral intravenous catheters is associated with high rates of complications, although it is widely used in clinical practice. Training strategies to ensure good performance can minimize the risks inherent to this procedure.

Design: A randomized simulation experimental pre-post interventional study.

Methods: Sixty participants were allocated to intervention (n = 30) or control (n = 30) groups. Participants allocated to the intervention group were trained through the Rapid cycle deliberate practice simulation strategy, while participants in the control group were trained through the skill-training simulation strategy. A pre-test was applied before any intervention and a post-test after intervention. The primary outcome was the performance in the peripheral intravenous catheter insertion skill. The comparison of correct performance in the tests was analyzed intergroup and intragroup. The effect size of the interventions was also analyzed. The t-Student and Mann-Whitney tests compared the difference between the groups. The training effect was calculated by Cohen's dm and Glass's Δ measures.

Results: Performance between the pre-post-test increased from 59.4% to 96% (p < 0.001) in the intervention group and from 57.8% to 93.5% in the control group (p < 0001). There was no statistical difference between the groups after intervention (p = 0225). Cohen's dm measurement was 2.95 and 3.59 in the control and intervention groups, respectively.

Conclusions: The rapid cycle deliberate practice simulation strategy resulted in Licensed Practical Nurses' performance improvements in peripheral intravenous catheter insertion, evidenced by the increase of correct performance actions in the post-test compared to the pre-test. However, with no statistical difference compared to the skill-training simulation strategy.

Keywords: Intervention; Nursing Education; Nursing Team; Peripheral catheterization; Peripheral intravenous catheter insertion; Peripheral vascular access; Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice; Simulation Training; Vascular access devices.