EFFECTIVENESS OF PANEL DISCUSSION AMONG NURSING STUDENTS

Background: Internet plays a vital role in the education of 21st century students which helps the students to gain knowledge in an interesting manner. Hence there should be some new enhancement in the teaching methods choosing the correct method, which apt to the course objectives is the most important issue in the field of teaching. Teaching methods are enormous in number, whereas the correct method should be used by the teachers in order to provide a quality education for the students is very important. Aim: The main aim of the current study was to assess the effectiveness of Panel Discussion on knowledge regarding selected communicable diseases [Dengue and Malaria] among Nursing students. Materials and Methods: Quantitative research approach was used for this study. The true experimental cross over design was used for this study. Total Eight Seven samples were selected using simple random sampling technique in which 43 were selected for the Traditional Teaching method and 44 were selected for Panel discussion. The data pertaining to level of knowledge was collected using structured self administered questionnaire on Dengue and malaria. Results: There was a significant association found between the Family history of Dengue and Malaria and the knowledge level of the students at p < 0.05 level. The analysis revealed that there was a significant increase in level of knowledge regarding Dengue and Malaria by panel discussion as the mean value increased from 20.84 (pretest) to 29.5 (posttest). Statistically panel discussion was found to be effective as the mean difference was 5.6 in enhancing the knowledge regarding Dengue and Malaria where as the mean value increased from 19.23 (pretest) to 23.98(posttest) and the mean difference of Traditional Teaching method was 4.7 only though the p value was 0.0006 in Traditional Teaching method and 0.001 in Panel discussion. Thus it is clearly evident that panel discussion is more effective than lecture method. Conclusion: As an innovative teaching method, Panel Discussion improves the knowledge and also student's participation. So, this method of teaching can be promoted as a general method of teaching nursing students.