Technology-Supported Guidance Model to Support the Development of Critical Thinking Among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Clinical Practice: Protocol of an Exploratory, Flexible Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

Abstract

Background Critical thinking is an essential set of skills in nursing education, and nursing education therefore needs a sharper focus on effective ways to support the development of these skills, especially through the implementation of technological tools in nursing education. Objective The aim of this study protocol is to assess the feasibility of a technology-supported guidance model grounded in the metacognition theory for nursing students in clinical practice. Methods Both quantitative (research questionnaires) and qualitative (focus group interviews) approaches will be used to collect data for a feasibility study with an exploratory, flexible mixed methods design to test a newly developed intervention in clinical practice. Results The intervention development was completed in December 2020. The intervention will be tested in 3 independent nursing homes in Norway. Conclusions By determining the feasibility of a technology-supported guidance model for nursing students in clinical practice, the results will provide information on the acceptability of the intervention and the suitability of the outcome measures and data collection strategy. They will also identify the causes of dropout and obstacles to retention and adherence. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/31646

A Technology-Supported Guidance Model to Support the Development of Critical Thinking Among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Clinical Practice: Concurrent, Exploratory, Flexible, and Multimethod Feasibility Study

“…In the feasibility study protocol [ 16 ], we outlined the criteria for modifying or discontinuing the intervention. During the intervention, we did not identify any events that would require immediate termination of the intervention; however, we identified challenges and events that either required immediate adjustment of the intervention or would require its adjustment for future RCT.…”

“…The study was written according to the SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Item: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) checklist [ 20 ], Medical Research Council Framework for Complex Interventions [ 11 ], and TIDieR (Template for Intervention Description and Replication) [ 21 ]. Deviations from a previously published study protocol [ 16 ] are summarized in Multimedia Appendix 1 [ 22 ].…”

“…MOSO was responsible for technical development, maintenance, and support of the TOPP-N app. The activities and processes of the TOPP-N app in the guidance module are summarized in Figure 1 and have been previously published in a study protocol [ 16 ].…”

“…The HSRT instrument was administered through the Insight Assessment Testing interface, whereas the rest of the instruments were administered through Questback’s management system [ 25 ]. A summary of the characteristics of these instruments is provided in Multimedia Appendix 2 [ 26 - 31 ] and has been previously published in the study protocol [ 16 ].…”

“…This intervention is based on metacognition [ 14 ] and constructive alignment [ 15 ] and consists of using the TOPP-N app in conjunction with daily guidance. Protocols for the feasibility study [ 16 ] and RCT [ 17 ] have been published previously.…”