Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Prof David Torgerson
ORCID ID
Contact details
York Trials Unit
ARRC Building
Alcuin College
University of York
Heslington
York
YO10 5DD
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1904 321340
djt6@york.ac.uk
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
N/A
Study information
Scientific title
Randomised single centre trial of a computer software package to improve numeracy skills among student nurses (Coventry Site)
Acronym
Study hypothesis
The principle research question is whether the use of a supplementary computer based medication dosage calculation training programme increases numeracy skills among first year student nurses.
Ethics approval
Coventry University Ethics Committee approved on the 6th October 2008
Study design
Randomised controlled, single centre trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Other
Trial type
Diagnostic
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Numeracy skills of student nurses
Intervention
The intervention is a computer software package known as Authentic World which can be accessed online, participants in the intervention group will be sent details on how to access the computer software and will have access to the programme for 8 months. They will also be sent reminder emails encouraging them to use 'Authentic World'. Formative tests will also be set within the programme which the students will be encouraged to take as practice for the maths test that is a usual part of their course. Participants in the control group will have access to all the usual departmental support for maths but will not be given access to the computer software.
Duration of intervention 8 months: November 2008 - May 2009
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Not Applicable
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Students scores on a maths test usually sat by first year students at Coventry University. To be taken at the end of the 8 month intervention period.
Secondary outcome measures
Students scores on a second maths test with at least 6 questions specifically aimed at medication dosage calculation. To be taken in the 7 month of the intervention period.
Overall trial start date
21/10/2008
Overall trial end date
22/05/2009
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
First year student nurses at the University of Coventry
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
200
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Refusal to give consent
2. Not a first year student nurse or midwifery student at Coventry University
Recruitment start date
21/10/2008
Recruitment end date
22/05/2009
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
York Trials Unit
York
YO10 5DD
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
University of York (UK)
Sponsor details
c/o Professor David Torgerson
York Trials Unit
ARRC Building
Alcuin College
Heslington
York
YO10 5DD
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1904 321340
djt6@york.ac.uk
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
University of York (UK) - York Trials Unit
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list
1. Hannah Ainsworth, Mollie Gilchrist, Celia Grant, Catherine Hewitt, Sue Ford, Moira Petrie, Carole J. Torgerson & David J. Torgerson (2011): Computer-based instruction for improving student nurses general numeracy: is it effective? Two randomised trials, Educational Studies, DOI:10.1080/03055698.2011.598668