Paper
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Longitudinal Case-Based Learning as a Foundation for Role Acquisition of the Guided Care Nurse
Jean Foret Giddens, PhD, RN, College of Nursing, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA and Charles Boult, MD, MPH, MBA, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| Learning Objective #1: describe the role of nursing in the Guided Care model. |
| Learning Objective #2: discuss benefits of longitudinal case-based learning. |
Guided Care is an interdisciplinary randomized clinical trial designed to improve the quality of life and the efficiency of resource use for medically complex older adults by applying the principles of the “chronic care model” to primary care. Central to the success of the Guided Care model are nurses who collaborate with other members of the health care team. As a component of this study, an education program for the participating nurses was required to prepare them for practice as a Guided Care Nurse (GCN). Foundational to the six-week GCN curriculum were three fictional characters representing the concepts of Guided Care practice. These characters were embedded in a longitudinal case-based approach. A case study involves an analysis of a clinical situation or incident. This widely used teaching strategy includes the presentation of a case (usually in a clinical context) and specific questions or problems for the learners to analyze and address. Case-based learning has been used in nursing education for a number of years in a variety of applications and educational settings, including in the traditional classroom, Web-based courses, clinical courses, and simulation experiences. Benefits of case-based learning include the acquisition of skills in critical thinking, clinical reasoning, organization and interpretation of information, and enhancement of learner confidence. The longitudinal application of case study (over six weeks) represents a significant difference from the traditional case-study illustrating a multicontexutal approach. These cases were woven into most of the foundational components of the curriculum including modules, seminars, workshops, and a practicum. Upon completion of the learning sessions, the GCN learners consistently reported the educational format as excellent in meeting their educational needs. All learners successfully completed the GCN program allowing their participation in the study.