Blended Learning to Enhance Elderly Communication Skills in Nursing Students and New Nurses

NCT07026136 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: CMUH111-REC1-110
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The study will recruit new nurses from the hospital to evaluate the effectiveness of learning communicating skills in elderly care through a hybrid learning model. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving hybrid method course or a control group using written materials, with both groups participating in a 60-minute educational session. The research will employ a multi-stage assessment approach, beginning with a pre-test to measure baseline knowledge of aging, attitudes toward older adults, willingness to serve the elderly, and communication skills. Immediately following the intervention, participants will complete a post-test, with a follow-up delayed assessment conducted three months later to evaluate knowledge retention. Clinical preceptors will systematically assess the nurses' elderly communication skills using a standardized rating scale. To gain deeper insights, selected nurses will also participate in qualitative interviews, sharing their learning experiences, reflections, and recommendations for improving the teaching materials, thereby providing a comprehensive understanding of the training's effectiveness and potential areas of enhancement.

Conditions

Communication; Elderly Patients

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Change in Knowledge of Aging Questionnaire Score

  * Instrument: 19-item scale developed by Hsieh \& Yang (2009) * Score range: 19-95 (Likert 5-point scale) * Higher scores indicate: Greater knowledge of aging (biological, psychological, and social aspects)

  Baseline (Pre-test): Prior to intervention. Immediate Post-test: Directly after the 60-minute learning session. First Follow-up: 1 month after intervention. Second Follow-up: 2 months after intervention. Third Follow-up: 3 months after intervention.

• Change in Kogan's Attitudes Toward Older People (KAOP) Scale Score

  * Instrument: 34-item Chinese version by Yeh et al., 2018 * Score range: 34-204 (Likert 6-point scale, with reverse-coded items) * Higher scores indicate: More positive attitudes toward older adults

  Baseline (Pre-test): Prior to intervention. Immediate Post-test: Directly after the 60-minute learning session. First Follow-up: 1 month after intervention. Second Follow-up: 2 months after intervention. Third Follow-up: 3 months after intervention.

• Change in Willingness to Serve Older Adults Scale Score

  * Instrument: 16-item scale by Hsieh \& Yang (2009) * Score range: 16-80(Likert 5-point scale) * Higher scores indicate: Greater willingness to provide care or service to older adults

  Baseline (Pre-test): Prior to intervention. Immediate Post-test: Directly after the 60-minute learning session. First Follow-up: 1 month after intervention. Second Follow-up: 2 months after intervention. Third Follow-up: 3 months after intervention.

• Change in Self-Reported Communication Skills Scale Score

  * Instrument: Adapted from Canary \& Spitzberg's CAE, modified by Chen (2017) * Score range: 28-168 (Likert 6-point scale) * Higher scores indicate: Higher perceived appropriateness and effectiveness in communication

  Baseline (Pre-test): Prior to intervention. Immediate Post-test: Directly after the 60-minute learning session. First Follow-up: 1 month after intervention. Second Follow-up: 2 months after intervention. Third Follow-up: 3 months after intervention.

• Change in Kalamazoo Essential Elements Communication Checklist (KEECC) Score

  * Instrument: 7-domain, 5-point checklist adapted for elder-care scenarios * Score range: 7-35 * Rated by: Clinical preceptors after observed interactions * Higher scores indicate: Better objective communication performance

  Baseline (Pre-test): Prior to intervention. Immediate Post-test: Directly after the 60-minute learning session. First Follow-up: 1 month after intervention. Second Follow-up: 2 months after intervention. Third Follow-up: 3 months after intervention.

Study Arms (2)

Hybrid Learning: Digital Modules + AI Chatbot Support

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will complete a 60-minute hybrid learning session using online digital textbooks developed by the research team. Content includes modules on aging knowledge, empathy techniques, communication barriers, and simulated scenario-based dialogues. Each module is followed by an online quiz. After the session, learners can continue practicing with an AI chatbot that provides personalized guidance and simulated dialogue practice.

Other: Hybrid Digital Learning with AI Chatbot for Geriatric Communication

Traditional Learning: Printed Educational Materials

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm will study the same instructional content using printed materials within a 60-minute session. The content parallels that of the digital modules but is provided in static written format, without multimedia or chatbot interaction.

Other: Traditional Learning: Printed Educational Materials

Interventions

Hybrid Digital Learning with AI Chatbot for Geriatric Communication OTHER

A web-based, self-directed learning program integrated with a conversational AI chatbot. The chatbot reinforces learning and allows for flexible post-training practice.

Hybrid Learning: Digital Modules + AI Chatbot Support

Traditional Learning: Printed Educational Materials OTHER

Traditional teaching materials, printed document including structured readings on aging knowledge, empathy, communication barriers, and case-based communication strategies with older adults.

Traditional Learning: Printed Educational Materials

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• At least 20 years old
• Graduated from a nursing school
• Full-time employee
• Less than six months of nursing work experience
• Working in a medical ward

You may not qualify if:

• Job nature does not involve direct patient contact, such as working in the supply room.
• Not engaged in clinical nursing work, such as a research assistant.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• China Medical University Hospital: lead

Study Sites (2)

Tzeng

Taichung, 406040, Taiwan

Location

Ya-Ling Tzeng

Taichung, 406040, Taiwan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Communication

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Ya-Ling Tzeng

CONTACT

+886422053366; tyaling@mail.cmu.edu.tw

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Hybrid method course of learning effective communicating skill

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 29, 2025
• First Posted: June 18, 2025
• Study Start: July 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 30, 2025
• Study Completion: December 31, 2025
• Last Updated: June 18, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Locations

TW (2)