1Proffesor, Research in Nursing, Yenepoya University, Yenepoya Research Centre, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
2Former Professor & Coordinator of Postgraduate Studies, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India
Online published on 15 March, 2013.
Problem based learning (PBL) is a form of contextual learning, which has been developed to promote independent learning and critical thinking skills. To determine how far this form of learning would be beneficial and acceptable to the nursing profession, the PBL method was introduced in the Obstetrical and Gynecological Nursing course for baccalaureate students in India and an opinionnaire was used for this purpose.
The opinionnaire was administered to 45 selected baccalaureate nursing students who had undergone a month-long PBL on antenatal care using convenience sampling. The opinionnaire developed by the author had a reliability coefficient of 0.83.
The response from the students was encouraging. Overall, a majority of the students expressed the opinion that the PBL was acceptable to them to a ‘great extent’ and to ‘some extent’. It was also found that a majority of the students (73.33%) expressed the view that PBL, to a great extent, motivated them to do self-study and that they were capable of self-directed learning. They also found tutorial sessions interesting and student-centered.
PBL is found to be an acceptable approach to learning for baccalaureate nursing students.
Problem-Based Learning, Acceptability, Nursing, Opinionnaire
