Background: Case-based Learning was an effective and highly efficient teaching approach that was extensively applied in education systems across a variety of countries. Critical thinking ability is an important indicator for access the study ability for baccalaureate nursing education.
Objectives: The study aimed to explore the effect of "nursing case-based learning" course on the critical thinking ability of nursing student.
Participants: A total of 80 students who were in Junior were included in this study. The experimental group included 40 students who selected "nursing case-based learning" course. The control group included 40 students who selected the traditional teaching course.
Methods: The critical thinking disposition inventory (CTDI-CV) was used to evaluate the effects of the critical thinking abilities during the 1st week (pre-test), the 9th week (mid-test), and the 18th week (post-test).
Results: There are no statistically significant differences between two groups in the pre-test thinking abilities (P > 0.05). After nine weeks, the critical thinking abilities of experimental group were significantly higher than control group (P < 0.05). Three obtained time-points had statistically significant differences of control and experimental group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The "nursing case-based learning" was an effective course to develop the critical thinking abilities of nursing students. Strict instructional design was the guarantee for the smooth implementation of "nursing case-based learning" course.
Keywords: Course; Critical thinking ability; Nursing case-based learning; Nursing education.
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