The Effect of Team-based Training Through Smartphone Applications on Nursing Students’ Clinical Skills and Problem-Solving Ability

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a team-based educational program through smartphone applications on Iranian nursing students’ problem-solving ability and clinical skills. Methods: This quasi-experimental study with two groups, including an experimental and a control group, was conducted among 60 nursing students who spent internship period in post CCU and CCU wards for 16 weeks. The control group received routine training, and the students of the experimental group received a team-based program through a smartphone application in addition to routine training. Students involved in the program were invited to complete the clinical skills questionnaire and Heppner’s Problem-Solving Inventory at baseline and week four, and week 12 of follow-up. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 22). Results: Asignificant improvement was found in nursing students’ clinical skills and problem-solving ability at week four and week 12 of follow-up compared with baseline (P 0.001). However, the mean scores increased more in the experimental group. Conclusions: This study suggests that team-based training throughsmartphoneapplications can enhance problem-solving perception and clinical skills in nursing students. It is expected that in the future, team-based training through smartphone applications may be used in the internship training of nursing students continuously.