Comparing the Effects of Lecture and Work in Small Groups on Nursing Students' Skills in Calculating Medication Dosage

Introduction: Performing medication dosage calculations is one of the responsibilities of the nurses failure in which may lead to crucial threats for patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of two methods of lecture and work in small groups on nursing students' skills in mathematical calculation of medication dosage. Methods: In an experimental study performed as two groups, pre and post-test, all nursing students in their second semester or more, studying in Shahid Sadouqi university of Yazd (n=85), were selected. They were divided randomly into two control and experiment groups and the mathematical skills, necessary for performing medication dosage calculation, were taught to them through lecture and work in small groups, respectively. Before the education and a week after that, the students’ skills were examined using a medica-tion dosage calculation test. Results: Most students had low skills in medication dosage calculation. The mean scores of medication dosage calculations in the two groups increased significantly after the education. The mean of the scores differences, before and after the education were 1.95±1.22 and 2.03±1.36 in lecture group and small group education, respectively, which showed no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Both educational methods had positive and also similar effects on enhancing students' skills in performing medication calculations. It is recommended to employ both of them for training this skill.