Problem: In the United States today, an estimated 15 million men are troubled by symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and, as the prevalence of prostate problems increases with age, this number will only increase as the aging population arises. The significant impact BPH symptoms have on quality of life (QoL), when combined with the high cost of medical/surgical treatment, have made BPH an important healthcare issue. Moreoever, the majority of men suffering from lower urinary track symptoms (LUTS) are initially seen by primary care providers for evaluation and treatment. With the number of nurse practitioners (NPs) employed in primary care, NPs must demonstrate knowledge regarding prostate pathophysiology, assessment, and current treatment options in order to decrease symptoms, prevent complications, and improve QoL. Therefore, the purpose of this Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) project was to describe the level of NP knowledge regarding BPH and LUTS before and after participation in an online educational intervention. Purpose and Scope: The purpose of this project was to describe the level of NP knowledge regarding LUTS and BPH before and after participation in an online educational intervention. A systematic review of healthcare evidence documented the need for an understanding of prostate pathophysiology, patient assessment, and diagnostic testing for BPH, in addition to evaluation and medical management according to the Guidelines on the Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and other clinical and best practice guidelines evaluated. Goal and Objectives: The goal of this project was to increase NP knowledge of current evidence-based findings in the evaluation and medical management of LUTS and BPH. The objectives of the project were to: (a) Describe NP pre-intervention level of knowledge regarding evaluation and medical management of LUTS/BPH, (b) Develop an evidence-based online teaching intervention to address NP level of knowledge regarding evaluation and medical management of LUTS/BPH, including pharmocological treatment options, and (c) Describe NP post-intervention level of knowledge regarding evaluation and medical management of LUTS/BPH. Plan: Phase One: Conducted a needs assessment using a published evidence-based critique template. Phase Two: Designed an online teaching intervention using an evidence-based medicine approach. Phase Three: Implemented an evidence-based online online tutorial for participants. Phase Four: Evaluated pre-intervention and post-intervention level of NP knowledge regarding evaluation and medical management of LUTS/BPH before and after NP participation in the online teaching intervention using a knowledge subscale adapted from a 28-item instrument developed by Kerfoot et al. Outcomes and Results: Using descriptive-interventional methodology, the findings from the project revealed a modest increase in NP knowledge from an aggregate percentage performance of .77 at pre-test to an aggregate percentage performance of .83 at a post-test. Moreover, scaled reliability estimates based on internal consistency for the instrument achieved significance with regard to the tool’s performance in this interventional design.
