Effectiveness of Simulation-Based Education on Childhood Fever Management by Taiwanese Parents

Abstract

Background Childhood fever is a common symptom managed by parents at home. Most parents do not know the definition of fever, its effect, or its management. To establish simulation-based education for parents and evaluate its effectiveness for fever management at home are essential for nursing care. This study assesses the long-term effects of simulation-based education on information, motivation, behavioral skills, and behaviors related to parental fever management in Taiwan. Methods Cluster random sampling was used to recruit parents having children aged from 3 months to 5 years who were attending kindergartens in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. A total of 160 parents were randomly assigned into experimental (EP) and control (CP) groups equally. Parents in the EP group received simulation-based education with fever education brochures, while the CP group received only the brochure. Data on parental fever information, motivation, behavioral skills, and management behaviors were collected before the 1st day, on the 1st day (except management behaviors), at the 6-month, and at the 12-month marks post-training with a self-developed instrument based on the information–motivation–behavioral skills model. Results The results of a generalized estimating equation analysis indicated that the information, motivation, behavioral skills, and management behaviors of all participants had improved at the post-test assessment, with the EP group showing significantly better improvement than the CP group. This study supports that simulation-based education effectively enhances fever management of parents for a long period of time. Conclusion Simulation-based education, compared to using the brochure, was a better strategy for improving parental information, motivation, behavioral skills, and behaviors regarding fever management. We suggest that providing community-based education on fever with scenario simulation is needed to increase parental competence for child care.