A Meta-Analysis on the Effectiveness of Computer-Based Education in Nursing

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of education effectiveness between computer-based education and traditional education methods in nursing. METHODS Medical and nursing literature databases were searched to identify studies regarding the effectiveness of computer-based education in nursing. Overall effect sizes for three outcome variables (knowledge, attitude, and practice level) were calculated. The effects of study characteristics on the outcome variables were analyzed. RESULTS Twenty-seven studies published from 1990 to February 2009, which that met the inclusion criteria, were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis showed that computer-based education generally had positive effects on knowledge, attitude, and practice, with overall effect sizes of 0.43, 0.35, and 0.34, respectively. This study also showed that the type of learner and the total education period had different effects on knowledge. CONCLUSIONS This metaanalysis found that computer-based education in nursing had positive effects on knowledge, attitude, and practice.