Efeito do módulo on-line sobre liderança na aquisição do conhecimento de discentes de enfermagem: estudo piloto de ensaio clínico randomizado

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of an online educational module on leadership on knowledge acquisition by nursing students. The research was conducted in two phases: methodological and experimental. In the methodological phase, experts validated the content and appearance of the module; and the content of the problem situation was also validated. In the experimental phase, a randomized clinical trial was conducted with 14 sixth-semester nursing students at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, divided into an experimental group (seven students), who accessed the online module, and a control group (seven students), who participated in face-to-face lectures at the Nursing Department itself. The educational module, previously developed and authorized for use through a Term of Assignment of Rights, included four multimodal classes addressing topics such as professional competencies, emerging skills according to the World Economic Forum, positive psychology, communication, and conflict management. The control group participated in a conventional lecture class in a face-to-face environment. The sample was predominantly composed of young women, aged between 20 and 25 years, enrolled in the sixth period of the Nursing course, in the first semester of 2024. Data collection included a problem situation and an adapted questionnaire to assess self-perception of the exercise of leadership in Nursing. The research was approved by the Ethics Committee (CAAE 75851023.0.0000.5537, Opinion 6,599,419) and registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (REBEC) under number RBR-2dfqmr2. The results showed significant advances in leadership skills, especially in the experimental group. This group showed a significant increase in the appreciation of interpersonal skills, from 57.14% in the pre-test to 85.71% in the post-test. In the mediation of ethical conflicts, 85.71% of the control group and 100% of the experimental group in the post-test opted for open debate, demonstrating a participatory approach. There was also an increase in self-identification as a leader in the experimental group, from 42.86% to 57.14%, evidencing the positive impact of the training on self-perception of leadership. The definition of leadership as a process of influence was widely recognized, with 100% of the students in the experimental group in the post-test understanding leadership as the exercise of influence to achieve goals. It is concluded that the online educational module on leadership related to the acquisition of knowledge by nursing students had a positive effect on the development of leadership skills of nursing students. The study reinforces the importance of interpersonal skills, self-perception of leadership and collaborative practices for the safety and professional performance of future nurses.