'Learning by doing', a model for improving the promotion of healthy lifestyles by student nurses

Pérez Rivas, Francisco Javier; Milagros Rico-Blázquez; Candelas López-López; Silvia Domínguez-Fernández; José Luis Cobos-Serrano; María Julia Ajejas Bazán

'Learning by doing', a model for improving the promotion of healthy lifestyles by student nurses

Download

2023_07_Learning by doing a model for improving the promotion of healthy lifestyles (Perez Rivas et al_2023).pdf (1.36 MB)

Official URL

https://bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12912-023-01398-3

Publication date

2023

Authors

Pérez Rivas, Francisco Javier

Milagros Rico-Blázquez

Candelas López-López

Silvia Domínguez-Fernández

José Luis Cobos-Serrano

María Julia Ajejas Bazán

Publisher

BMC

Citations

Exportar

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/87265

Citation

Pérez-Rivas FJ, Rico-Blázquez M, López-López C, Domínguez-Fernández S, Cobos-Serrano JL, Ajejas Bazán MJ. 'Learning by doing', a model for improving the promotion of healthy lifestyles by student nurses. BMC Nurs. 2023 Jul 8;22(1):236.

Abstract

Background 'Learning by doing' is a learning model based on performing actions and gaining experience. The 'nursing process' is a systematic, rational method for providing nursing care. During their university education, nursing students need to acquire the ability to promote healthy lifestyles. Objective To determine the effectiveness of a learning strategy based on learning by doing and grounded in the use of the nursing process, on the lifestyle of nursing students. Methods This quasi-experimental intervention (before-after), performed over 2011–2022, involved 2300 nursing students at a university nursing school in Spain. The risk factors for chronic diseases—being a smoker, being overweight, or having high blood pressure—to which each student was exposed were recorded. Those positive for at least one risk factor selected companion students as 'support nursing students' who became responsible for designing an individualised care plan to reduce the risk(s) faced. To ensure the correct use of the nursing process, teachers approved and monitored the implementation of the care plans. Whether risk-reduction objectives were met was determined three months later. Results The students with risk factors largely improved their lifestyles (targets for reducing smoking/body weight were met) with the help of their supporting peers. Conclusions The learning by doing method demonstrated its effectiveness, improving the lifestyle of at-risk students via the use of the nursing process.