Design,Implementation,and Evaluation of a Pediatric Fever Management Program for Nursing Students: A Complex Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

Aim: Fever is a common symptom in children. However, nurses’ and parents’ knowledge regarding fever management is lower than expected. This study was conducted to develop a pediatric fever management program for nursing students in a pediatric internship course. Method: A complex mixed-methods study with four phases: Qualitative phase, developing a pediatric fever management plan, teaching it to nursing students, and interviewing students and parents of children with fevers who were hospitalized in the pediatrics unit, about the plan. Questionnaire development phase, designing a questionnaire to evaluate the opinions of students regarding the fever management plan. Quantitative phase, administering the questionnaire to nursing students. Mixed-methods phase, integrating and interpreting the qualitative and quantitative results. Findings: Three themes were identified: improving self-management ability, behavior change, and improving practices. Most participants completely agreed that the fever management plan paid enough attention to parents’ needs, led to practice modifications and behavioral changes in parents, and was satisfactory. Conclusion and Implications for Practice: A pediatric fever management plan improved the knowledge, self-management ability, and practices of nursing students and parents of children with fevers. Health-care managers can use these results to enhance the quality of care provided for children with fevers.