Effect of Mind Mapping Application on Nurses' Performance regarding Colostomy at Pediatric Surgical Units

Background: Through surgery, a colostomy is a method of redirecting the flow of stool from the colon to a stoma by making an incision in the abdominal wall. When caring for children undergoing colostomy surgery, both pre-and post-operatively, nurses can have a clinically significant role to perform. An effective teaching tool for dividing a lot of material into digestible bits is a mind map. The aim was to determine the effect of mind mapping application on nurses' performance regarding colostomy at pediatric surgical units. Subjects and method: Design: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized to fulfill the aim of this study. Setting: the study was conducted in the pediatric surgical unit at Sohag University Hospital. Subjects: A convenient sample technique of a total of 50 nurses caring for children with colostomy who are working in the Pediatric Surgical Unit was recruited in the study. Three tools were used for data collection: Tool (1): A structured interview questionnaire which consisted of two parts; part (I) nurses' personal data; and part (II) nurses' opinion regarding the use of the mind map in training. Tool (2): Nurses' knowledge about colostomy (pre/post), Tool (3): Observational checklist regarding colostomy (pre/post). Results: Based on the study results, nurses' knowledge and practice related to colostomy had improved and differed in a highly statistically significant way between the pretest and posttest. Overall mind mapping knowledge and nursing performance about colostomy were significantly different, with a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: In pediatric surgical units, the current study found that using mind-mapping applications improved nurses' knowledge and practice. Recommendations: According to the study, mind mapping applications should be included as a useful tool for nurse education.