Use of “Weekly goal oriented teaching method” for dental nursing students during the outpatient clinical internship

Abstract

Background and objective: Given the current rapid development of the profession, great emphasis in dental nursing education is focused on clinical internship training. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the “Weekly Goal Oriented Teaching Method” for dental nursing students during their outpatient clinical internship.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out among students enrolled in the dental nursing major during the 2012 school year. They were randomly divided into two separate study groups according to their scheduled outpatient clinic internship schedule. The students scheduled for their outpatient clinic internship during the first four months (Months 1-4) were placed in the control group. The instructors in the control group utilized conventional teaching methods. Students scheduled during the following four months (Months 5-8) were placed in the experimental group using the “Weekly Goal Oriented Teaching Method”. Comparison of both groups included the student’s examination scores, student evaluation about the clinical internship training, and the nursing instructor’s evaluation of the student’s learning experience.

Results: Compared to the control group, the students in the experimental group had examination scores that were statistically significant higher in the Department of Oral and Reconstructive Surgery, Orthodontics, and the Four-Hand Operation Department (p < .05). The student evaluation of the clinical internship in the experimental group significantly surpassed the student evaluation in the control group in the areas of internship planning, teaching methods, and student-teacher communication (p < .05). The clinical nursing instructor’s teacher evaluation scores given to the students in the experimental group surpassed the evaluation scores for students in the control group in the fields of technical learning skills, and communication skills (p < .05).

Conclusions: The use of the “Weekly Goal Oriented Teaching Method” can improve and promote acquiring the essential professional skills and knowledge, enhance internship planning, improve teaching methods, and strengthen teacher–student communication.  In addition, the “Weekly Goal Oriented Teaching Method” can emphasize principles of nursing theory and compassionate care.