Intergenerational Narrative Learning to Bridge the Generation Gap in Humanistic Care Nursing Education.

Yu-Lun Kuo,Jian-Tao Lee,Mei-Yu Yeh

doi:10.3390/healthcare9101291

Abstract

Background: The development of nursing students’ ability to practice humanistic care is extremely important. Methods: This study explored students’ learning experience when providing humanistic care for older adults with chronic diseases while employing intergenerational narrative learning. An exploratory descriptive qualitative study design was adopted. Results: We analyzed evaluations from 35 students who completed the course, in which intergenerational narrative learning was employed. Evaluations contained open-ended questions that asked students to reflect upon their experiences and describe their perceptions, thoughts, and feelings after the course. Three main themes were revealed by thematic analysis: direct interaction supersedes knowledge in books, the framework for improving humanistic caring, and internalization of the importance of humanistic care in nursing. Conclusion: An awareness of patients’ perspectives inspired the students in their development toward a more profound caring attitude. The intergenerational narrative learning teaching strategy could foster professional and humanistic-centered care in nursing students.

Highlights

The development of nursing students’ ability to provide humanistic care to patients with chronic diseases is extremely important
The literature shows that the humanistic caring ability of undergraduate nursing students can be effectively enhanced through a narrative approach [2]
The narrative approach plays an important role in cross-disciplinary learning, including education, healthcare, and humanities [3,4,5]

Summary

Introduction

The development of nursing students’ ability to provide humanistic care to patients with chronic diseases is extremely important. The narrative approach allows for a rich description of patients’ experiences and reflection on meaning [6]. The philosophy underpinning the narrative approach is dependent on accessing real people, in real settings, wherein patients paint their experiences in words. It leads to an increase in the depth of understanding of these individuals [11]. The development of nursing students’ ability to practice humanistic care is extremely important. Methods: This study explored students’ learning experience when providing humanistic care for older adults with chronic diseases while employing intergenerational narrative learning. The intergenerational narrative learning teaching strategy could foster professional and humanistic-centered care in nursing students

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion