Promotion of self-regulated learning through internalization of critical thinking, assessment and reflection to empower learning (iCARE): A quasi-experimental study

Background: Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) is key in developing healthcare professionals and lifelong learner. iCARE (internalization of Critical thinking, Assessment, Reflection to Empower learning) model was designed to enhance nursing students' SRL. Aim: This study investigated the effects of iCARE on nursing students' reflective practice, SRL, self-efficacy and skill performance as compared to conventional group reflection. Method: A quasi-experimental exploratory study was employed on 49 final-year nursing students in a tertiary acute hospital. The iCARE group (n = 24) received guided daily reflective journal with weekly feedback while the group reflection group (n = 25) received group reflection. Both were facilitated by clinical instructors. Participants' SRL score, self-efficacy level and skill performance were measured pre- and post- training. End of posting reflective journal between group was compared. Their experience and perception on both facilitation methods were obtained using questionnaires. Quantitative data were summarised and analysed using Chi-Square test and t-test. Theme coding and content analysis were used to analyse the qualitative responses. Results: Compared to group reflection group, the iCARE group reported a statistically significant improvement in SRL score, reflective practice, skill performance and self-efficacy in skill performance after a four-week clinical posting. Participants from both groups perceived that reflection helped them learn from peers and experience, enhanced their performance and motivated them to learn. Three unique themes emerged only from the iCARE group: iCARE helped to developed SRL; application of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation (APIE) improved clinical reasoning; iCARE improved the use of feedback. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated the effect of the iCARE model in enhancing the development of nursing students' reflective practice, SRL and clinical learning outcomes. The design of iCARE model that embeds SRL instructions, APIE framework and SRL focused feedback can promote cognitive and metacognitive development as well as skill performance.