Document Type : Original Article
Abstract
Introduction: E-learning is a type of learning that is conducted using various electronic tools, such as mobile phones, and it offers advantages such as access at any time and place, reduced training costs, and flexibility. The present study aims to design, implement, and evaluate a mobile-based application for educating on the topic of home-based nursing care for common chronic diseases.
Methodology: The present study employed a developmental-applied research design with a software design approach, which was conducted in three stages: In the first stage, based on the curriculum of home-based nursing care, the necessary data elements for designing a mobile-based application for home-based nursing care were determined. Then, a researcher-made content validation checklist was sent to five members of the nursing faculty to validate the content. In the second stage, the mobile-based application for educating on the topic of home-based nursing care was designed on the Android platform. In the third stage, to evaluate usability, the application was installed on the mobile phones of 30 nursing students. After two weeks of use, a standard usability and user satisfaction questionnaire was administered for evaluation.
Findings: The results of the usability evaluation of the application showed that the overall mean score of the usability questionnaire from the perspective of the nursing students was 7.1 ± 0.7 out of 9, which falls into the desirable category.
Conclusion: The use of mobile-based applications can transform theoretical knowledge into practical exercises among nursing students and serve as suitable educational tools for improving their learning. The findings highlight the potential of mobile-based applications in enhancing nursing education, particularly in the context of home-based care.
Keywords: Home-based care, mobile application, nursing students.