Effects of interdisciplinary teaching on student learning and healthcare-giving competence: A mixed methods study

Abstract

Abstract Background Interdisciplinary collaboration is known to foster professional innovation and enhance student learning across different domains. However, the research on the effectiveness of interdisciplinary teaching in pediatric nursing education and its evaluation methods is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effectiveness of incorporating game-based learning from the Department of Childcare and Education into therapeutic play courses in pediatric nursing education for students’ learning and healthcare-giving competence. Methods We used a mixed methods study with pre-test/post-test quantitative analyses and a descriptive qualitative analysis of students’ reflection journals. Data were collected between August 2019 and July 2020 to gauge course effectiveness. Quantitative data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed using a t-test, correlation, and regression analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. One hundred and three second-year students enrolled in a four-year nursing program. Students attended classes in university classrooms and served learning in a kindergarten or hospital in Northern Taiwan. Results Implementing interdisciplinary teaching in the therapeutic play course resulted in significant improvement in students’ knowledge, abilities, attitudes, and social service outcomes as measured by post-test scores. Furthermore, the scores on the Service-Learning Questionnaire indicated a significant increase in communication, problem-solving, knowledge application, and cross-cultural competence. Integrating instruction to improve problem-solving skills and knowledge application predicts student learning outcomes. Qualitatively, students reflected on integrating different learning areas, communication, problem-solving, and practical knowledge skills. Conclusions Interdisciplinary teaching effectively stimulates thinking among nursing students and enhances their knowledge, abilities, and attitudes toward therapeutic play, benefiting children’s health. Integrating social service with interdisciplinary instruction allows students to be physically exposed to each child's unique challenges and needs, enhancing their communication, knowledge application, and problem-solving. Students can blend knowledge and skills through integrated learning, which is crucial for career development. Trial Registration: N/A. It was a survey on educational activities.