EFFECT OF STRUCTURED IN-SERVICE TRAINING ON NURSES’ KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE, AND SELF-CONFIDENCE REGARDING PATIENTS’ COLOSTOMY CARE

Objective: To determine the impact of structured in-service training on nurses’ knowledge, practice, and self-confidence regarding caring for patients with colostomy. Method: Utilizing a one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study design, the study was conducted in the oncology department at Egypt Health Care Authority hospitals in Port Said governorate (Elmabra Hospital) and the oncology institute in Damietta City. From October 2023 to January 2024, 50 nurses from the oncology departments of the two cities in Egypt participated in the study to assess their knowledge, practice, and self-confidence before and after exposure to in-service training about colostomy care. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive, correlational, and inferential statistics. Results: Implementation of Structured In-service Training significantly improved nurses’ total knowledge scores, practice scores, and self-confidence levels (p ≤ 0.05). Notably, a more robust positive correlation emerged after training between nurses’ knowledge and practice, knowledge and self-confidence, and practice and self-confidence (r=0.757, r=0.738, and r=0.619, respectively). However, the correlations were significant before the training program as well. Conclusion: The study underscores a critical necessity for nurses to concentrate on the specialized field of colostomy care by establishing a routine in-service training system. Further research is warranted to validate the findings of this investigation.