Technological capacity of nurses for virtual education: prevention of childhood obesity in east Panama
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Childhood obesity constitutes a growing public health concern that demands innovative educational skills aimed at prevention from primary care. In this context, information and communication technologies (ICT) represent an essential means to strengthen nurses’ competencies in virtual learning environments. This study aimed to analyze the technological and educational capacities of nursing personnel in Eastern Panama to promote virtual education for childhood obesity prevention, within a framework of sustainable educational technology based on the principles of accessibility, inclusion, and energy efficiency. The research followed a mixed-methods design with a qualitative-documentary predominance, combining a theoretical review of recent studies on health education and childhood obesity with the analysis of formative experiences in open and closed virtual platforms. The sample consisted of 90 nurses from the Chepo Regional Hospital and the Cañita Polyclinic, affiliated with the Social Security Fund, who completed a structured survey. The results revealed limitations in virtual knowledge about childhood obesity but also a strong willingness to incorporate technological tools into professional practice. It is concluded that integrating ICT through a competency-based approach strengthens nurses’ continuing education and fosters the promotion of healthy habits in vulnerable communities.
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