The impact of training chemotherapy safety standards with a smartphone application on the knowledge, attitude, and performance of nurses

Abstract Background: Nurses who play the leading role in caring for patients, especially nurses in the chemotherapy department who are constantly exposed to high-risk drugs and their side effects, should pay more attention to occupational safety. This study was performed to determine the effect of training chemotherapy safety standards using a smartphone application on nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice. Methods: The whole enumeration selected fifty oncology nurses from 3 hospitals affiliated with Lorestan University of Medical Sciences (western Iran). The study was conducted from June to November 2021. The training was done for four weeks with a smartphone application, including six main courses of familiarity with antineoplastic drugs, personal protective equipment, drug preparation, prescription and transfer, waste leakage, and elimination. The nurses' knowledge, attitude, and performance questionnaire were completed before, immediately, and one month after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, descriptive and inferential statistical tests of independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, repeated measures analysis of variance, and the Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model. Results: Mean knowledge score of participants before, immediately, and one month after the intervention was (47.18 ± 8.19), (60.08 ± 3.82), and (61.88 ± 3.45), respectively. The mean attitude score of participants before, immediately, and one month after the intervention was (30.34 ± 3.94), (34.32 ± 3.25), and (34.98± 2.88), respectively, and the mean performance score of participants before, immediately, and one month after the intervention was (43.60 ±5.11), (51.78 ± 3.15) and (52.88 ± 3.06), respectively. The mean nurses' knowledge, attitude, and performance score increased significantly over time (P <0.001). Conclusions: Teaching chemotherapy safety standards using the application improved oncology nurses' knowledge, attitude, and performance. Appropriate educational programs, especially new methods such as e-learning, are recommended for providing safety for nurses and methods of its promotion.