Effectiveness of the Socratic Dialogue Method in a Graduate Nursing Ethics Course: A Mixed-Methods Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Medical Ethics
• Pedagogy

Background:

• Graduate-level nursing ethics courses require effective pedagogical strategies.
• Enhancing students' ethical reasoning and reflective learning is crucial for clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Socratic dialogue method's impact on graduate nursing students' ethical reasoning and reflective learning.
• To determine if Socratic dialogue is an evidence-based teaching strategy for nursing ethics.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was utilized.
• Pre- and post-course critical thinking assessments were administered.
• Qualitative analysis of student reflective discussions was conducted.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in critical thinking disposition were observed.
• Students demonstrated deeper moral reasoning and collaborative inquiry.
• Confidence in ethical decision-making increased.

Conclusions:

• The Socratic dialogue method effectively promotes reflective engagement and critical discourse in nursing ethics education.
• Nurse educators can adopt this approach to develop reflective practitioners skilled in moral reasoning.
• This method supports the cultivation of ethical competence in complex healthcare environments.