Effectiveness of Round by Peers on Critical Thinking and Clinical Decision-Making in Nursing Students.

Background: Strengthening critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills is important for nursing. Therefore, it is essential to use appropriate educational methods to influence these factors. This study aimed to assess the impact of peers' round on nursing students' clinical decision-making and critical thinking abilities.

Materials and methods: In this semi-experimental study, 67 final-year nursing students participated in round meetings at Ganjavian Hospital in Dezful, Iran, from January 2022 to July 2023. They were selected using a census sampling method. After selecting patients from different hospital departments and presenting them in groups of 3-4 individuals, group members collected patient information and used experts' opinions to present rounds with other students. Before and after the initiation of the program, participants completed critical thinking (18 questions) and clinical decision-making (40 questions) questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test, paired t-test, Pearson correlation, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: Rounds by peers improved students' critical thinking (t₆₆ = 9.52; p < 0.04) and clinical decision-making (t₆₆ = 2.48; p < 0.004) after the intervention. Systematic analysis and re-evaluation of outcomes had the lowest scores. Searching for alternatives and thinking outside the box obtained the highest scores among the questionnaire subscales. There was a relationship between critical thinking and clinical decision-making (r = 0.075; p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Considering the effect of round by peers on critical thinking and clinical decision-making in nursing students, nursing schools should employ new methods for the clinical training of their students.