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Learning and unlearning dignity in care: Experiential and experimental educational approaches
Richard G Kyle1, Wayne Medford2, Julie Blundell3
1School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, UK.
Nurse Education in Practice
|May 15, 2017
Summary
Student nurses believe dignity in care education is vital and can be learned through experiential methods like patient testimony and role-play. However, they also noted that negative experiences can lead to unlearning dignity, emphasizing the need for continuous reinforcement in nursing curricula.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Healthcare Ethics
- Professional Development
Background:
- Maintaining human dignity is central to nursing practice.
- Existing literature suggests dignity and dignity in care are teachable concepts.
- The impact of educational approaches on student nurses' understanding of dignity requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore student nurses' perceptions of whether dignity is amenable to education.
- To identify preferred educational approaches for teaching dignity in care.
- To understand how nursing education influences the learning and unlearning of dignity.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods study was conducted with student nurses in Scotland.
- Data collection involved online questionnaires (n=111) and focus groups (n=35).
- The study examined student views on the educational potential of dignity and preferred learning methods.
Main Results:
- Student nurses affirmed that education can transform understanding and practice of dignity in care.
- Participants highlighted the risk of 'unlearning' dignity through repeated negative practice exposures.
- Experiential methods such as patient testimony, role-play, simulation, and empathy exercises were highly favored.
Conclusions:
- Nursing education possesses the potential to foster learning about dignity.
- Integrating experiential and experimental educational approaches is crucial in nursing curricula.
- Continuous reinforcement through effective teaching strategies is necessary to prevent the erosion of dignity concepts among student nurses.