Experiences with using a mobile application for learning evidence-based practice in health and social care education: An interpretive descriptive study.
Journal
PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
Titre abrégé: PLoS One
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101285081
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2021
2021
Historique:
received:
22
12
2020
accepted:
23
06
2021
entrez:
12
7
2021
pubmed:
13
7
2021
medline:
17
11
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Health and social care students are expected to apply evidence-based practice (EBP). An innovative mobile application, EBPsteps, was developed to support learning EBP. The aim of this study was to explore health and social care students' experiences of learning about EBP using the mobile application EBPsteps during their clinical placements. An interpretive description approach guided the exploration of student experiences. Four focus groups were conducted with a convenience sample of students from three undergraduate degree programs: occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social education. The constant comparison method was used to categorize and compare the qualitative data. Three integrated themes were generated: "triggers for EBP", "barriers to EBP", and "design matters". Information needs, academic requirements, and encouragement from clinical instructors triggered the students to use EBPsteps. Lack of EBP knowledge, lack of academic demand, and lack of emphasis on EBP in clinical placement were barriers to using EBPsteps. Design issues mattered, as use of the app was motivated by design features such as the opportunity to practice EBP in one place and taking notes in a digital notebook. The use of the app was hindered by anticipation that the use of phones during clinical placements would be viewed negatively by others and by specific design features, such as unfamiliar icons. The students perceived the EBPsteps app as a relevant tool for learning EBP, although they also suggested specific changes to the design of the app. Requirements must be embedded in the curriculum to ensure that the app is used. Our findings bring important information to developing and implementing mobile applications as a teaching method in health and social care educations.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Health and social care students are expected to apply evidence-based practice (EBP). An innovative mobile application, EBPsteps, was developed to support learning EBP.
AIM
The aim of this study was to explore health and social care students' experiences of learning about EBP using the mobile application EBPsteps during their clinical placements.
METHODS
An interpretive description approach guided the exploration of student experiences. Four focus groups were conducted with a convenience sample of students from three undergraduate degree programs: occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social education. The constant comparison method was used to categorize and compare the qualitative data.
RESULTS
Three integrated themes were generated: "triggers for EBP", "barriers to EBP", and "design matters". Information needs, academic requirements, and encouragement from clinical instructors triggered the students to use EBPsteps. Lack of EBP knowledge, lack of academic demand, and lack of emphasis on EBP in clinical placement were barriers to using EBPsteps. Design issues mattered, as use of the app was motivated by design features such as the opportunity to practice EBP in one place and taking notes in a digital notebook. The use of the app was hindered by anticipation that the use of phones during clinical placements would be viewed negatively by others and by specific design features, such as unfamiliar icons.
CONCLUSIONS
The students perceived the EBPsteps app as a relevant tool for learning EBP, although they also suggested specific changes to the design of the app. Requirements must be embedded in the curriculum to ensure that the app is used. Our findings bring important information to developing and implementing mobile applications as a teaching method in health and social care educations.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34252136
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254272
pii: PONE-D-20-40199
pmc: PMC8274852
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
e0254272Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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