Knowledge and Practical Administration of Glasgow Coma Scale among Nursing Undergraduates in Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Background: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a tool applied in worldwide healthcare facilities to identify neurologic dysfunctions and monitor progress in level of consciousness, diagnosis and maintain communication among healthcare professionals. Objective: To assess the level of knowledge and practical administration of GCS among final year nursing undergraduates from the selected universities in Sri Lanka

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted amongst final year nursing undergraduates from randomly selected universities in Sri Lanka (Sri Jayewardenepura (n=20), Colombo (n=70) and Peradeniya (n=33). Data collected using a newly developed, pre-tested questionnaire answered by study participants. The level of knowledge was classified according to the mean score, score <22 inadequate; >23 adequate knowledge and practice levels were scored <12 as unsatisfactory, score >13 satisfactory. Data analysis using the SPSS version 23.0 for the analysis of descriptive data comparing these groups against their university affiliation with analysis of variance.

Results: Among 123 participants, 69.1% (n=85) were female. More than half 59% (n=72) of the participants had adequate knowledge. A proportion of 51% (n=61) had a satisfactory knowledge of clinical scenario practice and practical application was seen among 36% (n=44) of them. There was no significant difference (p=0.71) in the means knowledge score between the universities. However, mean practice scores showed a significant difference (p<0.001) between their university affiliations.

Conclusions: Study showed that the percentage of undergraduates with adequate knowledge and satisfactory practices were 59% and 36%, respectively. Further, they demonstrate adequate knowledge and practical application of the GCS too. Hence, each higher educational institute need to re-visit their academic program in order to achieve the desired level of competencies of the graduates. Therefore. the teaching theoretical concepts and the skill of performing GCS assessments shall be included with more clinical experiences combined with demonstrations in classrooms to enhance the knowledge of GCS among nursing graduates.