Selected outcomes of community-oriented, problem-based nursing programmes in South Africa

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Public Health
• Curriculum Development

Background:

• Limited research exists on community-oriented learning (COL) outcomes for nursing students.
• Problem-based learning (PBL) and COL programs were implemented in four South African universities between 1994-1997.
• This study compares graduates from PBL/COL programs with those from conventional nursing programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and explore the incorporation of illness prevention and health promotion by graduates from PBL/COL and non-PBL/COL programs.
• To assess continued learning engagement among graduates from both program types.
• To gather insights from graduates and their supervisors in South Africa.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative, descriptive, and comparative evaluation study.
• In-depth interviews conducted with graduates and supervisors approximately six months post-training.
• Data analyzed using Miller and Crabtree's Template Analysis Style and Benner's interpretative approach, managed with NVIVO software.

Main Results:

• Both graduates and supervisors faced challenges articulating health promotion and illness prevention activities.
• Identified health promotion strategies included mass education, personal skill enhancement, and supportive environment creation.
• Illness prevention primarily involved health education and medical-surgical asepsis; some graduates demonstrated contextual awareness in patient care.

Conclusions:

• Graduates from PBL/COL programs may require enhanced training in articulating and implementing health promotion and illness prevention strategies.
• Further investigation into the long-term impact and specific competencies developed through PBL/COL nursing programs is warranted.
• The study highlights a gap in understanding how educational approaches translate into practical public health nursing actions.