The use of case studies as a learning method during pre-registration critical care placements

Critical care nursing is no longer confined to intensive care units. It is now recognised that patients outside intensive care require critical care nursing. () Pre-registration nursing students must be prepared both clinically and theoretically to provide holistic care for critically ill patients and their families. This project examines how the development of case studies by one cohort of pre-registration students during their critical care placements supported their learning, and encouraged a holistic approach to patient care. Students developed case studies based on actual patients they cared for. The students critically analysed the care they provided and grounded their assignment and practice in recent research findings. To evaluate the effectiveness of this method of learning, nominal group technique and questionnaires were employed to gather data from the students. Analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data illustrated that the use of case studies as part of the academic assignment encouraged students to develop a holistic approach in caring for the critically ill patient and family. Students also agreed that they incorporated previous theoretical and clinical experience into the care of the patients. It is recommended that this learning method could be used and evaluated within assignments associated with other clinical placements both at pre-registration and post registration levels.