Development and evaluation of multimedia software of vital drug prescription and calculation principles

Abstract

Background: Considering the advancement of information technology, the use of new educational methods, such as e-learning, is undeniable. The purpose of the present study was to design and evaluate drug dose calculation multimedia software to nursing students. Methods: After providing educational content, the software was prepared based on research findings in the field of e-learning, including Mayer’s multimedia design principles, educational evaluation criteria and an educational materials checklist. Software evaluation was done by a number of multi-disciplinary experts (n=15) and students (n=32) and by polling forms that included the characteristics of electronic resources. SPSS 20 was used to analyze the data. Independent t tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation were used to assess the relationship. Also, the data are presented using mean (standard deviation) and frequency (percentages) for numeric and categorical variables. Results: Software evaluation by students resulted in a mean score of 57.73 (SD=10.964) (range: 14 to 70) of the maximum possible score of 70, indicating that software evaluation was excellent. There was a significant difference between the mean total score provided by female (mean=61.8, SD=6.03) compared to male (mean=52.5, SD=9.02) students (P<0.05). Female students rated the software higher than male students (P<0.05). Evaluation of the software by multi-disciplinary experts resulted in a mean score of 160.72 (SD=30.796), with scores ranging from 40 to 200 out of a maximum score of 200. Conclusion: Vital drug prescription and calculation principles multimedia software was developed using Mayer’s theory and evidence-based evaluation criteria. Results showed an excellent evaluation of the software by multi-disciplinary experts and students.