Journal Article

Comparison of mobile learning and face-to-face training in intermittent catheterization education: A randomized controlled trial

Çalışkan, Nurcan, Gülnar, Emel, Aras, Nilgün, Yılmaz, Bilge, Bıyık Bayram, Şule

2025

Overview

This study aimed to compare the knowledge and skill levels of nursing students who received either mobile learning or face-to-face training on intermittent catheterization. Performing Intermittent Catheterization (IC) with the correct technique can significantly prevent catheterization-related complications. Ensuring that nurses are proficient in IC prevents complications and enables timely and accurate execution of the procedure. A parallel-group, non-inferiority, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 74 fourth-year nursing students in Türkiye were randomly assigned to either the face-to-face training (n = 37) or mobile learning group (n = 37) using block randomization. The study provided intermittent catheterization training via mobile application or traditional face-to-face instruction between April 10 and April 17, 2025. Data were collected using the IC Knowledge test and a skills checklist for both male and female catheterization procedures. No significant difference was determined in the IC knowledge score between mobile learning (14.21 SD 1.58) and face-to-face training (13.56 SD 1.78) groups. There was also no significant difference in the skill performance score between the mobile learning (18.51 SD 1.57/19.13 SD 1.15) and face-to-face training (18.62 SD 1.31/18.56 SD 1.70) groups in respect of female/male catheterization procedures. The results showed that mobile learning on IC was non-inferior (non-inferiority margin: −1.02, 95 % CI: −0.13–1.43). Mobile learning was found to be as effective as face-to-face training in enhancing both knowledge and practical skills in intermittent catheterization. Mobile applications can be considered as a supplement to face-to-face training in nursing education or as an alternative when face-to-face training is not possible. •Intermittent catheterization (IC) is widely used to drain urine in neurogenic bladder, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and other conditions.•There is limited evidence on the use of technology-based educational methods in IC training.•Mobile learning is as effective as face-to-face training in improving IC knowledge and practical skills.•Mobile apps may supplement face-to-face IC education or serve as an alternative when in-person is not possible.

• Publisher: Elsevier Ltd,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: Adult / Alternative approaches / At Risk Students / Caregivers / Catheterization / Catheters / Check Lists / Chronic illnesses / Clinical Competence - standards / Clinical trials / Cognitive Ability / Cognitive load / Computer Software / Control Groups / Cooperative learning / Cutting Scores / Design / Education / Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate - methods / Educational Change / Educational Measurement - methods / Educational Methods / Educational Objectives / Educational Practices / Educational Research / Educational Strategies / Educational technology / Electronic Learning / Ethics / Evidence Based Practice / Face-to-face training / Female / Females / Glossaries / Group work / Groups / Humans / In Person Learning / Influence of Technology / Instructional Improvement / Instructional Materials / Intermittent / Intermittent catheterization / Intermittent Urethral Catheterization - methods / Intubation / Item Analysis / Knowledge / Learning / Learning Strategies / Male / Medical education / Mobile application / Mobile Applications / Nurses / Nursing / Nursing education / Online instruction / Patients / Skill acquisition / Skills / Software / Students / Students, Nursing - statistics & numerical data / Teaching / Teaching methods / Training / Turkey / Urology