Effect of Problem-Based Learning on Decision-Making Skills among the Undergraduate Nursing Students

Abstract

Background: Making a decision is a behavior that occurs when a person chooses and implements a course of action from a set of options to address a specific situation or problem. As a result, educators should employ new teaching methods such as problem-based learning )PBL) to help students improve their problem-solving and decision-making skills. Aim: To evaluate the effect of problem-based learning on decision-making skills among undergraduate nursing students. Subjects and method: Design: To achieve the study's aim, a quasi-experimental research design was used. Setting: the study was conducted in the Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University. Subjects: based on a convenient sampling of all 356 available undergraduate nursing students in the fourth academic year were selected from previous setting that were divided into two groups "study contained 178 and control contained 178 students" in 2020/2021 academic year. Three tools were used: (I) Problem-based Skills Evaluation Sheet, (II) Nursing Students’ Decision Making Skills Scale, Tool (III): Student's Feedback Questionnaire. Results: The study's findings revealed that there were no statistically significant differences between the study and control groups before intervention. It was observed that 63% of the studied undergraduate nursing students were searched for alternative options compared to 43% in the control group, 66% were canvassing of objectives and values compared to 46% in the control group, 59% were evaluated and re-evaluated of consequences compared to 43% in the control group, and 67% were search for information and unbiased assimilation of new information compared to 41% in the control group. The mean scores of decision-making skills in the study group students increased after applying PBL than before application with a statistically significant difference (p =< .001). Conclusion: The findings of the study concluded that problem-based learning has a positive role in improving undergraduate nursing students' decision-making skills. Recommendations: Encourage application of problem-based learning in education among undergraduate nursing students that help improve their decision making skills.