Effect of online case-based learning on nursing students’ self-confidence amid COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing educational programs have shifted from physical to online learning, both academic and clinical learning. Case-based learning is one of the clinical learning methods which is adapted to current circumstances. The learning method connects theoretical knowledge and practical experiences on nursing students’ clinical environment. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of online case-based learning on the clinical nursing students' self-confidence. Methods: Forty-five clinical nursing students participated in this quasi-experimental study with one group pre-post-test design. The students’ self-confidence was evaluated using an instrument consisting of 15 Likert-scale items with cognitive, affective, and psychomotor subscales. The students’ self-confidence was measured before and after the online case-based learning (O-CBL) activities. The activities included case presentation, individual case analysis, small group discussion, and problem-solving practice for students. Results: This study successfully organized the O-CBL method to enhance the students’ self-confidence. The average self-confidence level of the students increased from 57.84 to 60.62. Paired t-test analysis yielded p=0.006 (p <0.05), which indicated a significant effect of O-CBL on the students’ self-confidence. Significant findings were also discovered from the cognitive (p=0.01) and psychomotor (p=0.004) domains. The students’ affective domain did not significantly improve (p=0.089, p>0.05). Conclusion: O-CBL increases nursing students' self-confidence specifically in cognitive and psychomotor aspects.