Problem Definition and Hypothesis Generation by Recent Family Nurse Practitioner Graduates

Little is known about the effect of problem definition on hypothesis-generation accuracy in recent family nurse practitioner (FNP) graduates. The hypotheticodeductive-reasoning model served as the theoretical framework for the study. An alternating-treatment single-subject experimental design was used to examine the effects of problem definition on 8 recent FNP graduates' ability to generate hypotheses to diagnose patient problems. Diagnostic-reasoning software provided web-delivered simulated-patient scenarios that described patient problems that were either ill defined or well defined. The independent variable was problem definition (ill-defined versus well-defined problems). The dependent variables were accuracy of the final diagnosis, the total number of diagnostic hypotheses generated, percent of the diagnostic hypotheses plausible, time from initial login to final diagnosis, and confidence in the final diagnosis. Analysis consisted of visual inspection of graphs and nonparametric tests for each of the dependent variables. Expected differences in accuracy between ill-defined and well-defined problems were not found. However, there were significant differences in time (p = .02) and confidence (p = .01) for diagnosing ill-defined and well-defined problems. One conclusion was that problem definition is a function of the individual problem solver's experience. Hypotheticodeductive reasoning was not used by most problem solvers; instead pattern matching was observed in recent FNPs' diagnosis of patient problems. Future studies should address individual perceptions of problem definition. Programs that educate FNPs should evaluate students' understanding of the hypotheticodeductive reasoning model and individualize learning experiences to promote clinical decision-making.

Name thesis:degree_name

PhD

Level thesis:degree_level

Immediate Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nursing

Year dc:date.available

2009

Author dc:creator

• Risco, Kerry

Contributors dc:contributor

• Linda Goodellow
• Joan Lockhart
• Joyce Penrose
• James Moore

• Diagnostic reasoning
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Hypothesis generation
• Hypotheticodeductive reasoning
• Problem definition
• single subject experimental design

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/1106

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dsc.duq.edu:etd-2122