Application of case analysis in clinical practice teaching for cardiology nursing undergraduates

Objectives To explore the effect of case analysis method in clinical nursing practice teaching of cardiology diseases. Methods 48 nursing undergraduates in cardiology department from July 2015 to May 2017 were selected into experimental group and 50 nursing undergraduates from July 2013 to June 2015 in cardiology department were retrospectively divided into control group. The control group adopted small lectures to explain the nursing assessment, diagnosis and nursing measures to the students. In experimental group, case analysis method was applied into nursing practice teaching, which concluded guiding group students to choose common kinds of typical cases firstly, collecting the patient's information, reviewing nursing assessment, diagnosis and intervention of the selected disease, and finally comparing cases with theoretical knowledge. After that, group students should apply case analysis method to clinical nursing practice under the guidance of teachers. Finally, academic performance, overall nursing assessment, and acceptance of the case analysis method in the above two groups were compared. Results The results of experimental group in academic performance [(81.70±3.22) vs. (75.63±3.01)] and in overall nursing examination [(91.93±3.07) vs. (84.27±3.08)] were significantly superior to control group. Meanwhile, the experimental group students showed higher acceptance of case analysis method. Conclusion Case analysis method can help nursing undergraduates to combine theoretical knowledge and clinical practice better, make deeper understanding of theoretical knowledge, apply it in clinical practice neatly, and improve students' ability of critical thinking. Key words: Case analysis; Nursing undergraduates; Clinical nursing practice teaching