Case-Based Collaborative Learning for Arrhythmia Recognition in Novice Intensive Care Nurses

ConditionsArrhythmia Recognition Patient Safety Attitudes Arrhythmia

Trial statusRecruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

Age18+

SponsorNaile ALANKAYA

About this trial

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness of case-based collaborative learning (CBCL) in improving arrhythmia recognition and patient safety attitudes among novice intensive care nurses. Newly graduated nurses with less than one year of professional nursing experience working in coronary or cardiovascular surgery intensive care units are randomly assigned to an intervention or control group.

Both groups participate in the institution's routine orientation process for newly employed intensive care nurses. In addition, the intervention group receives a structured CBCL-based arrhythmia education program delivered in two 120-minute sessions over two consecutive weeks. The program uses clinical case scenarios, ECG tracings, individual assessment, small-group collaborative discussion, shared clinical decision-making, and structured feedback. The control group receives no additional study-specific arrhythmia education during the study period.

The primary outcome is arrhythmia recognition and awareness, and the secondary outcome is patient safety attitudes. Outcomes are assessed at baseline and at the three-month follow-up in both groups. An additional immediate post-intervention assessment is conducted in the intervention group to examine short-term changes following the educational program.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Newly graduated nurses with less than one year of professional nursing experience

Currently working in the coronary intensive care unit or cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit

Voluntary participation in the study

Provision of written informed consent

Disqualifiers

Previous participation in a structured arrhythmia or ECG training program

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

Case-Based Collaborative Learning-Based Arrhythmia Education
Behavioral
The intervention consists of two 120-minute educational sessions delivered once weekly over two consecutive weeks by a researcher with formal ECG training and certification in ECG interpretation. Each session uses clinically oriented arrhythmia cases accompanied by ECG tracings. Participants first assess the case individually and then work in small groups of 5-6 nurses to discuss their interpretations and reach a shared clinical decision. Groups present their conclusions, followed by facilitator-guided whole-group analysis, clarification of misconceptions, and structured feedback. The program addresses ECG interpretation, life-threatening rhythms, bradyarrhythmias, atrioventricular blocks, atrial tachyarrhythmias, medication- and electrolyte-related ECG changes, QT prolongation, and monitoring problems. Patient-safety principles and appropriate nursing responses and escalation of care are integrated throughout the cases.

Treatment groups

72 Participants

are divided into 2 treatment groups

Group A: Case-Based Collaborative Learning GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Group B: Control GroupNo intervention 0 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

Arrhythmia Recognition and Awareness Test (ARAT)

The Arrhythmia Recognition and Awareness Test (ARAT) consists of 27 items assessing arrhythmia recognition and awareness. Each correct response is scored as 1 and each incorrect response as 0, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 27. Higher scores indicate better arrhythmia recognition and awareness.

Time frame

Baseline and 3 months after randomization

Secondary outcomes

Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ)

The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) is used to assess participants' attitudes toward patient safety. The questionnaire includes 46 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale and comprises six dimensions: teamwork climate, safety climate, job satisfaction, stress recognition, perceptions of management, and working conditions. Higher scores indicate more positive attitudes toward patient safety.

Time frame

Baseline and 3 months after randomization

Sponsors and contacts

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Naile ALANKAYA

Lead sponsor

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Sponsor institution

Source ClinicalTrials.gov

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