"A multi-pronged teaching" approach: Effects of the "IMAGE" teaching mode on the learning of evidence-based practice...

Although international organizations have identified evidence-based practice as a core competence for healthcare professionals, more than half of clinical nurses lack confidence in implementing and disseminating evidence-based practice. Given that postgraduate nursing students have significant potential in evidence-based practice translation, it may be an effective strategy to train future postgraduate nurses in advanced evidence-based practice competences.

The study had two primary objectives. First, it aimed to introduce the "IMAGE" teaching mode in evidence-based practice education for postgraduate nursing students. Second, the study sought to compare academic performance, evidence-based practice competency, critical thinking, cooperative ability, and satisfaction with the course among students, through the application of the traditional teaching mode versus the "IMAGE" teaching mode.

This study employed a quasi-experimental design.

The study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing of Guangzhou Medical University, in the academic years of 2022 and 2023. The research subjects were postgraduate nursing students who participated in the evidence-based practice course.

The intervention group (n = 72) received the "IMAGE" teaching mode, and the control group (n = 72) used the traditional teaching mode. Outcomes evaluated were the students' academic performance, evidence-based practice competency, critical thinking, cooperative ability, and course satisfaction. Data were collected from both groups after the implementation of the teaching modes.

The findings showed that the "IMAGE" teaching mode significantly improved postgraduate nursing students' overall academic performance, evidence-based practice competency, critical thinking, cooperative ability, and course satisfaction (all P < 0.05).

The "IMAGE" teaching mode appears effective in training postgraduate nursing students in evidence-based practice. This study may offer valuable insights for nursing educators on developing innovative teaching strategies for advanced nursing students.