Samples will first be selected through convenience sampling and then randomly block‑allocated into two groups: distance (online) education and face‑to‑face education. Using randomized blocks of four and prepared envelopes, each patient will be assigned a random code according to the order in which they enter the study, and patients will be placed into the two groups based on these random codes.
Considering that sampling will take place in two hospitals and to prevent contamination of the samples, one hospital will be randomly assigned to the online education group and the other to the nurse‑led (face‑to‑face) education group. Then, according to the four‑person blocks, each patient will be randomly assigned to group A (online intervention) or group B (in‑person intervention). For example, after randomly selecting a block such as BABA, patients will be assigned in the following order: online, in‑person, online, in‑person; and for the next block, such as AABB, patients will be assigned online, online, in‑person, in‑person. The number of individuals allocated to each group will be approximately equal.
In this study, in addition to random allocation, allocation concealment was also performed. For this purpose, first, the random sequence was generated. Then, based on the study sample size, a number of envelopes were prepared, and each random sequence was recorded on a card, which was then placed inside an envelope in order. To preserve the random sequence, the envelopes were numbered externally in the same order. Finally, the envelopes were sealed and placed inside a box in sequence. At the time of participant registration, and according to the order in which eligible participants entered the study, one envelope was opened each time, revealing the group assigned to that participant. Individuals were assigned to the intended group based on their order of entry into the study and the randomized block sequences.