COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMME: A MIXED METHOD STUDY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an innovative Community Collaborative Education Programme (CCEP) for undergraduate nursing students. The two-phase explanatory mixed methods study examined the effectiveness of the programme. Phase one used a quasi-experimental comparison design with repeated measures (n = 94). Phase two adopted a descriptive qualitative approach using semi-structured focus group discussions (n = 53). The results of phase one showed that the CCEP participants had significant improvement in their self-perceived community care competency (p < 0.05). Phase two revealed four main themes: (1) Developing community practice competence, (2) Facilitating collaborative community practice, (3) Valuing interprofessional collaborative learning, (4) Inhibiting collaborative community practice. The mixed methods study provided evidence on the effectiveness of the CCEP. The findings have guided the revision of the undergraduate nursing clinical education curriculum to prepare future nurses to be collaborative practitioners especially in the community settings.