Purpose Clinical risk management of adverse outcomes is an integral part of a cardiac nurses' responsibilities. Ensuring staff skills and knowledge is current, however, is problematic due to the logistics of traditional training workshops. Web based training may address this drawback. This study explores the relative effectiveness of workshop education vs web based learning in improving knowledge of chest drain management. Method: Fifty-eight nurses employed in cardiology, cardiovascular and medical wards of a 200 bed acute care hospital were recruited into either a workshop (n=27 nurses) or web base (n=31 nurse) education program. Knowledge of chest drainage management was assessed pre and post education. Median and Interquartile Range is used to describe group performance data.

Results No difference was found in the pre education scores for the workshop and web based groups with scores of 68% (55–73%) and 68% (25–75%) respectively. Both groups improved significantly with scores post intervention of 82% (74–95%) (p=0.001) and 77% (69–89%) (p=0.003). No difference was found between the two post education groups. However the nurses were asked to write evaluative comments about the intervention. The workshop respondents enjoyed being able to share knowledge with each other and to have questions answered immediately. The web based program was reported to be easily accessible and offered the flexibility for the nurses to be able to work at their own pace and go back over topics compared to the workshop. The workshop format carried rostering problems in that it was difficult to release a number of nurses away from the ward at once to attend. The web based system had no rostering difficulties as the individual nurse was at work and could easily access the program when it suited.

Conclusions As the two educational approaches were equally effective in improving chest drainage knowledge the differentiator between the two approaches concerns matters of convenience. In this regard, problems in taking staff off line for group workshops is a major drawback. Web based education is a viable alternative for staff education in a busy hospital.