Purpose
This study aimed to review the effectiveness of delirium education programs for nurses in acute hospitals.
Methods
The inclusion criteria were studies on delirium education programs for nurses published in English and Korean from 2012 to 2022. A literature search was conducted in the RISS, KISS, DBpia, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases using the key words of "delirium", "nurse", and "education". Qualitative appraisal of studies was conducted using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool translated by National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA). For meta-analysis, the effect size of the intervention was calculated as standardized mean difference.
Results
Eighteen studies were selected for the systematic review. While the contents of the education programs were similar, the teaching methods were different. Interventions implemented included traditional learning, e-learning, and blended learning. Teaching methods of delirium education programs for nurses included lecture, discussion, practice, simulation, role-play, and coaching. The systematic review found that delirium education programs for nurses effectively increased post-intervention outcomes in 17 studies. Delirium education programs for nurses have benefits regarding delirium knowledge and performance. In four studies, delirium education program interventions improved delirium nursing performance (95% CI: 0.48~2.44, p=.003).
Conclusion
These results demonstrate the need for a standardized delirium education program. It is recommended that further studies evaluating the patient outcome effects of delirium education programs should be conducted.

Citations

• The influence of delirium knowledge, critical thinking disposition, and compassion competence on delirium nursing performance in general hospital clinical nurses: A cross-sectional descriptive study
  Hyang Sook Lee, Jeong Eun Yang
  Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing.2025; 27(1): 95.     CrossRef
• Educational programs to improve nursing competency of patient- and family-centered care in intensive care units: A systematic review
  Youngshin Joo, Eugene Han, Yeonsoo Jang
  Nurse Education Today.2025; 151: 106699.     CrossRef
• Performance, Knowledge, and Barrier Awareness of Medical Staff Regarding the Prevention and Management of Pain, Agitation/Sedation, Delirium, Immobility, and Sleep Disruption in Adult Critical Care Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
  Hyo-Geun Song, Duckhee Chae, Sung-Hee Yoo
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2023; 35(4): 379.     CrossRef