title: Clinical case studies in mental health by means of the on-line discussion.
abstract: This descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative design aimed to describe and analyze discussions in online chats about mental disorders in a psychiatric nursing course as part of an undergraduate nursing program. The sample consisted of 32 undergraduate students who attended the course. Data analysis showed that the discussions through online chat sessions permeated the acquisition of knowledge, procedures, attitudes and values and promoted students' active participation. The results reaffirm the discussions' importance for students' learning and showed the potential of technology resources, such as real-time communication tools, to support and improve teaching possibilities in psychiatric nursing.
authors.affiliation: Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Brazil. nane@eerp.usp.br
authors.forename: Edilaine Cristina da
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Antonia Regina Ferreira
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Furegato
authors.forename: Simone de
authors.initials: Sd
authors.lastname: Godoy
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003142:Communication; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*