Evaluation of a digital educational resource, ASMOSUS, to enhance cardiovascular disease knowledge and lifestyle behaviour change for first year nursing students: a mixed-methods study

Background- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Nursing students display sub-optimal behaviours in relation to smoking, obesity, nutrition, physical inactivity and alcohol. It is necessary to address CVD risk factors, management and lifestyle promotion early on in a healthcare professionals' career- preferably at the university delivering their nursing program. Public health and health promotion aligns with the Nursing and Midwifery Council curricula in the United Kingdom already taught however, there exists a gap between knowledge and the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviours.
Methods- This study will evaluate a digital educational resource: ASMOSUS. This resource was co-designed with nursing students and academic staff at Queens University Belfast and Edinburgh Napier University to provide the skills to assess CVD risk, motivate change and encourage adoption of a healthy lifestyle in themselves and others.
A mixed-methods study will be carried out in two phases. Phase one will use a pre/post-test questionnaire design investigating student knowledge on CVD risk and self-efficacy. Phase two will explore the experience of the students in using the resource and the impact on their skills and self-efficacy using focus groups.
Discussion- This study has the potential to engage nursing students as the health professionals of the future in the early adoption of the knowledge and skills in CVD risk assessment, management and promotion of a healthy lifestyle. This will inform not only the health and wellbeing of nursing students themselves but support modifiable behaviour change in patients and potentially optimise care.