The effects of problem-based learning integrated with the nursing process on clinical reasoning, communication skills attitude and nursing process competency among nursing students: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

AimThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of problem-based learning integrated with the nursing process on clinical reasoning, communication skills attitude and nursing process competency of nursing students. BackgroundSystematic and integrated application of nursing process in various nursing scenarios are necessary as an alternative to limited learning experiences during conventional lectured-based learning. Thus, an innovative nursing curriculum should be developed by adopting problem-based learning integrated with the nursing process, the effectiveness of this process should be tested to improve the quality of nursing education and explore effective educational strategies. DesignA quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group pre-test and post-test design. MethodsThe study was conducted from September to October, 2023. Third-year nursing students who were selected by intentional sampling were allocated to the control (n=69) and experimental (n=87) groups. The control group participated in conventional lectures, whereas the experimental group participated in the problem-based learning integrated with the nursing process (six sessions) regarding various high-risk obstetrics and gynecology nursing. Thereafter, the students completed structured questionnaire on Google surveys including items on clinical reasoning, communication skills attitude and nursing process competency. ResultsClinical reasoning (t=-4.599, p=<.001), communication skills attitude (t=-1.848, p=.033) and nursing process competency (t=-3.795, p<.001) increased significantly more in the post-test for the experimental than the control group. ConclusionsThis study shed light on the learning effects that enable effective communication and enhance confidence in nursing students for applying clinical reasoning and the nursing process based on various high-risk obstetrics and gynecology nursing modules. Moreover, learners are expected to experience knowledge expansion and transfer through reasoning and application. Therefore, modules of high-prevalence diseases should be developed for various nursing major courses and problem-based learning integrated with the nursing process linked to these modules should be designed for use in nursing classes.