A model to facilitate reflective thinking in clinical nursing education

A qualitative, contextual, exploratory and descriptive design for theory generation was used to develop a model to facilitate reflective thinking in clinical nursing education (Mouton & Marais, 1990:43; Mouton, 1996: 103-109; Chinn & Kramer 1991:79-120). A model was developed within the existing frameworks of theory generation. Wilson (1963:23-39) and Gift (1997:75,76) provided a theoretical framework for a concept analysis of reflective thinking in phase one of the study. Further conceptual meaning was attained through a perceptual survey where twelve nurse educators participated in a focus group interview with regard to how reflective thinking can be facilitated in clinical nursing education. Classification of the main concepts and sub-concepts was made through a conceptualisation process within Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach's (1968:415-435) theoretical framework using the six elements of practice theory. Concluding relation statements were inferred through deductive analysis and synthesis after conceptualisation of each main concept. The relation statements provided the basis for model description (Chinn & Kramer, 1991:107-125). Definitions of the main concepts and sub-concepts were described using the basic rules by (Rossouw, 2001:10-11; Cohen & Copi, 1994:192-195). The adapted educational process from five learning theories provided a framework through which the procedure to facilitate reflective thinking in clinical nursing education was described. Lastly, the model was evaluated using the pre-determined criteria by Chinn and Kramer (1991:128-137) and refined by experts in qualitative research and theory generation. Guidelines were developed which do not form part of this article. Theoretical validity was ensured. Recommendations, limitations, challenging hypothesis and a conclusion were made.