An experimental study of the effects of learning climate on patient-centred decision-making

This paper aims to communicate a particular methodology which was devised in an attempt to identify particular influences on the patient centredness of student nurse decision making in the practice setting utilising a quasi experimental approach. The major variables of ward sister student orientation and patient centredness are described in the context of the development of the experimental conditions and the patient centredness measuring tool. The video presentation of experimental conditions is also described. The study supported the hypothesis that student nurse patient centredness could be positively or negatively influenced by the student orientation of the significant nurse teacher in the clinical setting (The Ward Sister). On a consistent basis this is likely to produce nurses who learn that clinical decision making need not always be in the best interests of the patient. A cause and effect relationship between teacher orientation, student behaviour and practitioner outcomes is postulated.