Story Telling Problem Based Learning (ST-PBL): A Program for Rural Elderly with Chronic Diseases

Abstract

Purpose: To measure changes in health knowledge, health attitudes, and health promotion behaviors of the elderly in rural communities after using the Story Telling Problem Based Learning program facilitated by students in a nursing course.Methods: A quasi-experimental study using a non-equivalent control group: 72 students sampled from the nursing discipline were divided into experimental (n=36) and control groups (n=36). The ST-PBL program was provided to the older rural people in the experimental group for six weeks. Results: Data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 21.0. After the application of the ST-PBL program, the participants in the experimental group showed a significant increase in health knowledge and health promotion behavior. Conclusion: The participants in the experimental group demonstrated positive changes in health knowledge, health attitudes, and health promotion behaviours. The use of an approach such as the ST-PBL program can promote uptake of self-care behaviors within the elderly with chronic diseases living in rural areas.