Development and Evaluation of Multimedia Software of Vital Drug Prescription and Calculation Principles

Background: Considering the advancement of information technology, the use of new educational methods, such as e-learning, is undeniable. The purpose of the present study was to design and evaluate drug dose calculation multimedia software to nursing students.

Methods: After providing educational content, the software was prepared based on research findings in the field of e-learning, including Mayer’s multimedia design principles, educational evaluation criteria and an educational materials checklist. Software evaluation was done by a number of multi-disciplinary experts (n=15) and students (n=32) and by polling forms that included the characteristics of electronic resources. SPSS 20 was used to analyze the data.Independent t tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation were used to assess the relationship. Also, the data are presented using mean (standard deviation) and frequency(percentages) for numeric and categorical variables.

Results: Software evaluation by students resulted in a mean score of 57.73 (SD=10.964)(range: 14 to 70) of the maximum possible score of 70, indicating that software evaluation was excellent. There was a significant difference between the mean total score provided by female(mean=61.8, SD=6.03) compared to male (mean=52.5, SD=9.02) students (P < 0.05). Female students rated the software higher than male students (P < 0.05). Evaluation of the software by multi-disciplinary experts resulted in a mean score of 160.72 (SD=30.796), with scores ranging from 40 to 200 out of a maximum score of 200.

Conclusion: Vital drug prescription and calculation principles multimedia software was developed using Mayer’s theory and evidence-based evaluation criteria. Results showed an excellent evaluation of the software by multi-disciplinary experts and students