Problem-based case study to enhance critical thinking in student nurses

• Published in: Curationis (Pretoria) Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 27 - 35
• Main Authors: Mogale, N M, Botes, A C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South Africa AOSIS 01-08-2001
• Subjects: Curriculum; Education, Nursing; Humans; Nursing; Nursing Research; Problem-Based Learning; South Africa; Students, Nursing; Thinking; South Africa
• ISSN: 0379-8577; 2223-6279
• DOI: 10.4102/curationis.v24i3.845

The use of traditional teaching methods, for example the lecture method, does not stimulate critical thinking in student nurses. This problem can be solved by the utilisation of problem-based case study in the classroom/clinical setting. The purpose of this study is to describe guidelines for the implementation of problem-based case study in a clinical setting among first year, comprehensive course students at the Northern Province College of Nursing: Sovenga campus. The research design of this study was qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual and was conducted in the following phases: Phase 1: The development and implementation of a program for problem-based case study in the clinical setting; Phase II: The experiences of student nurses who were exposed to problem-based case study in the clinical setting; Phase III: The perceptions of tutors regarding the implementation of problem-based case study in the clinical setting (focus group), and; ase IV: Guidelines for the implementation of problem-based case study. The data from Phases I, II and III were used to formulate guidelines for the implementation of problem-based case study. The sample group consisted of all 69 first year student nurses at the Northern Province College of Nursing: Sovenga campus and ten tutors teaching clinical courses at the same campus. The Tesch (1990) approach is used for data analysis. Nine guidelines for the implementation of a problem-based case study approach were formulated and recommendations for development of an instrument to measure critical thinking in nursing were recommended.