“Enfermeiro Diagnosticador” board game for teaching diagnostic reasoning in nursing: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the “Enfermeiro Diagnosticador” board game effectiveness for teaching diagnostic reasoning among nursing students. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study, developed in three stages: “Enfermeiro Diagnosticador” (Diagnostician Nurse) game construction; content analysis of clinical cases by experts; and “Enfermeiro Diagnosticador” game application. Nineteen experts participated in content analysis. Pre- and post-tests were performed with 11 undergraduate nursing students, attending semiology, a baseline subject. Results: The nine clinical cases that comprised the game were organized into clues capable of subsidizing the composition of nursing diagnoses. These were assessed with good suitability by 19 experts in diagnostic reasoning and/or educational technology. Comparing students' performance before and after the experiment, the correct diagnostic inference showed a statistically significant difference in the resolution of the first and second diagnoses (p=0.008). Moreover, the correct writing of diagnosis was a highlight in the post-test and all the items assessed showed improvement after the board game application. Conclusion: It is concluded that “Enfermeiro Diagnosticador” is effective in supporting the teaching of diagnostic reasoning in nursing. In this way, we aim to advance in the state of the art with regard to low-cost and easily accessible educational games to support diagnostic reasoning in nursing.