Evaluation of the Effects of Traditional and E-Learning Methods in Cancer Pain Care Education on Learning Outcomes and Institutional Costs

Cancer Pain, Nursing Students, Nursing Education

Nursing, Traditional Learning Methods, E-Learning Methods, Education, Cost

Cancer pain is a significant clinical problem that directly affects patients' quality of life and requires nurses to be equipped with adequate knowledge and skills to provide effective care. The current shift in knowledge and skill acquisition from traditional teaching methods toward e-learning-based approaches has increased the importance of comparing the effects of these educational methods on learning outcomes in cancer pain management education. Within this context, the course content on cancer pain management will be developed using both traditional and e-learning methods based on the ADDIE instructional design model. The effects of these two methods on students' learning outcomes and institutional teaching costs will be evaluated. Thus, this study aims to contribute to identifying effective and cost-efficient teaching strategies in nursing education.

Nursing education prepares qualified nurses to meet the care needs of individuals, families, and communities using evidence-based practices. Curricula in line with Türkiye and European Union standards provide both theoretical and clinical education and use various models: traditional, integrated, and problem-based learning. Recently, the pandemic, natural disasters, and fast technological changes have driven interest in student-centered and digital teaching. E-learning that uses digital tools like simulation, virtual reality, augmented reality, and gamification boosts learning motivation and enriches education. Traditional teaching, used worldwide, has key advantages for classroom management and discipline. Its teacher-centered structure ensures systematic transfer of fundamental knowledge. This method achieves learning goals for knowledge and comprehension and delivers broad information quickly. Some research finds e-learning benefits knowledge and skills, while other studies report no significant learning difference from traditional methods. However, studies comparing the costs of traditional and e-learning methods remain limited. Although the use of technology in education is often emphasized as cost-effective, most existing studies have focused on simulation costs and have not provided comprehensive quantitative cost analyses to support this claim. This gap highlights the importance of conducting detailed cost analyses in order to objectively evaluate the true cost-effectiveness of educational practices. Furthermore, the use of instructional design models is recommended to develop effective, systematic, and standardized teaching processes in both traditional and digital learning environments. Within the scope of this study, the course content on cancer pain management will be developed using both traditional and e-learning methods based on the ADDIE instructional design model. The effects of these two methods on students' learning outcomes and institutional teaching costs will be evaluated. In this way, the study aims to contribute to identifying effective and cost-efficient teaching strategies in nursing education.

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