Impact of a Formative Program on Transgender Healthcare for Nursing Students and Health Professionals. Quasi-Experimental Intervention Study

Abstract

The field of specific healthcare for transgender people has not been includedin the official curriculum of professionals. This causes a lack of knowledge that can be presumedto become a barrier to healthcare. Currently, different methodologies are emerging to achievemeaningful learning for students and professionals. The objective of this study was to evaluatethe increase in the level of knowledge of final-year nursing students, applying methodologicalstrategies such as problem-based learning (PBL) and film-forum. Methods: 59 nursing studentswere randomly assigned to two intervention groups (G1=31 and G2=28), and another 57 wereassigned to the control group (without specific classes or workshops on the subject of the study).The intervention consisted of a specific training course on transgender issues (TGSC&W, TransGenderSpecific Course and Workshop), where the type of meaningful learning strategy used depended on thegroup (G1=film-forum and G2=PBL). The study was carried out at the Faculty of Nursing NuestraSeñora de Candelaria of the Canary Islands Health Service. The randomization was done by blindlychoosing a computer-generated code. Results: The main outcome was based on 116 participants,comparing their level of knowledge before and after the workshop. The comparison by pairsshows that there were statistically significant differences (p=0.000) between those undergoing themethodological interventions and the control group. Statistical significance between film-forum andPBL was not obtained (p=1.000): Both methodologies increased the level of knowledge, but there wasno significant difference between them. The means for satisfaction with the learning methodologyused did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusion: The workshop carried out washighly effective and significant in terms of increasing knowledge. No significant differences wereobserved in the level of knowledge, or in the degree of satisfaction, between the two methodologiesused (PBL and film-forum)