Using problem-based learning to teach health policy at the DNP level

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Policy Analysis
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Graduate nurses require skills in health policy to ensure safe, patient-centered care.
• Understanding roles as policy advocates, developers, implementers, and evaluators is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe problem-based learning (PBL) as a method for Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) health policy education.
• To enhance graduate nurses' ability to analyze health policies.

Main Methods:

• Students engage in PBL by selecting a health problem and related policy.
• Utilizes evidence-based practice, scholarly writing, and health services research for analysis.

Main Results:

• Students analyze health policies for efficiency, effectiveness, and equity.
• PBL approach fosters critical evaluation skills in health policy.

Conclusions:

• Problem-based learning is an effective strategy for DNP health policy education.
• This method prepares nurses to critically assess and influence health policies impacting patient care.