[Physical assessment course evaluation]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new course it physical assessment which began in April, 1996. The student were requested to complete a questionnaire at the termination of the course. The subjects included the 59 students who enrolled in and completed the course in physical assessment. The response rate to the questionnaire was 64.4%. The findings were as follows: 1. Course Structure and Process: The student responses indicated support for the course structure and process. The course began with content on vital signs and advanced to head to toe physical examination. Students responded most positively to the process of lecture presentation followed by self-learning and then the opportunity for practical experience. 2. Teaching Methods: Team teaching was the method chosen for presentation of the course. Student evaluation indicated both advantages and disadvantages to this method. Students were positive about the experience of practicing the roles of the nurse and patient because it allowed them to gain a better understanding of patient's feelings. Some students noted that there were differences in thinking among the teachers. Other students noted positive aspect of team teaching, i.e. the value of different perspectives from more than one teacher. 3. Student Self-Learning: Approximately 50% of the students responded that they did not have enough time to participate in self-learning activities. The other 50% stated that they did have adequate time. Students noted that they did not consult with the teacher when they were participating in self-learning activities. A few students requested an improvement in the teaching materials that were used. 4. Acquisition of physical examination skills and professional demeanor. Course satisfaction was high-on a scale of 1 to 10, the course average reached 8.1. Students expressed strong satisfaction with the acquisition of skills and professional demeanor.