The mediating effect of advanced health assessment on the relationship between self-directed learning and clinical thinking among master of nursing specialist postgraduate students: A structural equation model

Abstract

BackgroundClinical thinking is an important competency among master of nursing specialist (MNS) postgraduate students. Previous studies have demonstrated that self-directed learning (SDL) positively affects clinical thinking among MNS postgraduates. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the relationship between SDL and clinical thinking. AimThis study aimed to investigate the status of MNS postgraduates' SDL, advanced health assessment (AHA), and clinical thinking and to explore the mediating effect of AHA on the relationship between SDL and clinical thinking through a structural equation model. DesignCross-sectional study. SettingsParticipants were recruited from 7 universities in Anhui, Hubei, Hebei, and Heilongjiang provinces, China. ParticipantsA convenience sample of 300 MNS postgraduates was recruited from May 2023 to July 2024. MethodsA general information questionnaire, SDL instrument, AHA scale, and clinical thinking scale were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software. ResultsThe levels of SDL, AHA, and clinical thinking among the participants were above the middle level. AHA played a partial mediated role in the relationship between SDL and clinical thinking. ConclusionsThis study provides new insights into the relationship between SDL, AHA, and clinical thinking. The results of this study indicate the effectiveness of developing AHA when conducting SDL to enhance the clinical thinking of MNS postgraduates.