This study explores a multi-media ACP training intervention for nurses in acute care setting

The MEACP program provides flexible training for nurses, accessible anytime via a mobile app to fit their busy schedules.

MEACP training materials are reusable, offering sustainability and economic value.

To explore the effects of a theory-based Multi-media Experiential Advance Care Planning (MEACP) training programme for nurses in acute care settings, which aims to improve their decision-support skills, attitudes towards advance care planning (ACP), knowledge of ACP and level of confidence in conducting ACP.

Nurses in acute care settings are often less engaged in ACP discussions due to insufficient training and time constraints.

A single -blinded, cluster randomised controlled trial with a repeated-measures, two-arm, parallel-group design was employed.

A total of 230 registered nurses were recruited from 23 acute care wards across eight public-funded hospitals. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 112) or an intervention group (n = 118) at the ward level. Informed by the theory of planned behaviour and the experiential learning model, the MEACP programme included a 10-module mobile application (app) and a 2-hour nurse-led, face-to-face, skill-building workshop.

The participants in the MEACP group showed significantly greater improvements in their decision-support skills (95 % CI:2.47–3.34, p < 0.001), knowledge of ACP (95 % CI: 0.7–1.61, p < 0.001) and confidence in conducting ACP (95 % CI: 0.37–0.79, p < 0.001) than the control group post-intervention.

The intervention has the potential to empower nurses with better decision-support skills and knowledge, which lay the groundwork for future efforts to promote ACP engagement in acute care settings.

Advance care planning

Acute care

Nurse education

Theory of planned behaviour

Experiential learning cycle

© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.