This document discusses learning theories and their application to quality improvement in education and public health. It defines learning as the acquisition of knowledge through study, experience, or teaching, while education is the process of systematic instruction. Several learning theories are described, including behaviorism, cognitivism, humanism, and social/situational theories. The document focuses on social cognitive theory and its three core concepts: learning through observation, mental states, and that learning does not necessarily lead to behavior change. It provides examples of how learning theories can contribute to quality healthcare and public health improvement through education.

1. Quality Improvement and
Education: Theories
Hloniphani Juta
Lara Kesteloo
Trang Nguyen Thi Thuy
Eva van Swaaij

2. Defining Learning and Education
Learning: “knowledge acquired through study,
experience, or being taught”
(Oxford Dictionary, 2012)
Education: “the process of receiving or giving
systematic instruction”
(Oxford Dictionary, 2012)

3. Education and Quality Improvement
Cannot be learned simply through
experience or observation

4. Learning theory
Behaviourist Cognitivist Humanist Social and
Situation
• A change in • A change in • Interaction/observat
• An act to fulfil ion in social contexts
behaviour though/mind personal
potential
• Theorists: • Theorists: Koffka, • Theorists:
Thorndike, Pavlov, Kohler,Lewin, Bandura, Lave
Watson, Guthrie, H Piaget, • Theorists:
ull, Tolman, Skinne Maslow, Rogers and Wenger,
Ausubel, Bruner, Salomon
r Gagne

5. Social Cognitive Theory/Social
Learning Theory in Nursing School
• This theory is attributed to Bandura who
describes how learning takes place with
consideration of personal learner characteristics,
behaviour patterns and the social environment.

6. Three Core Concepts of Social
Learning Theory
1. Learning
2. Mental
through
States
Observation
3. Learning ≠ behaviour
change

7. 1. Observational Learning
Live model
The actual demonstration of behaviour
Verbal instructor model
Involves a description and explanation of a
behaviour
Symbolic model
Involves real or fictional characters displaying
behaviours

8. 2. Mental states
Intrinsic Reinforcement
Intrinsic reinforcement as a form of internal
reward, such as pride, satisfaction, and a sense of
accomplishment.

9. 3.Learning ≠ behaviour change.
The Modelling Process
Not all cognitive/social behaviours are
effectively learned , certain steps must be followed
in observational learning and modelling.
1. Attention
2. retention
3. reproduction
4.motivation

10. Contribution to Quality Health Care
Student learns:
• Leadership skills
• Nursing skills
• Problem solving
• Self regulatory practices
• Beliefs
• Attitudes
• Strategies

11. Public Health Quality Improvement
Goal: to improve the public health of the population
FADE-model • Overweight population
• Not enough exercise and bod
Focus
eating habits
Evaluate Analyse • Design a food pyramid
• Promote you food pyramid in
various media
Execute Develop • Is there a change in statistics?

12. Public Health Education
PH campaign  raising awareness of the health
consequences.
• Mass media
• Labeling
• Packaging
• Community programs
• Policy change
In Europe, the „lifestyle diseases‟ are prevalent. These usually
have a very late onset of disease  „why worry now about
diseases you might get in a long time?‟

13. References
Chinn, P. L., & Kramer, M. K. (2010). Integrated theory and knowledge development in nursing (8th ed. ed.). St.
Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Education. (2004). In K. Barber (Ed.), Canadian Oxford Dictionary (2nd ed.). NY, NY: Oxford University Press.
Huitt, W., & Hummel, J. (2006). Educational psychology interactive. Valdosta: Valdosta State University
Israel, B. A., Checkoway, B., Schulz, A., Zimmerman, M. (1994). Health education and community empowerment:
Conceptualizing and measuring perceptions of individual, organizational, and community control. Health
Education Quarterly 22(2), 149-170. doi: 10.1177/109019819402100203
Keating S. B (2011). Curriculum Development and evaluation in nursing. (2nd ed.) New York: Springer.
Learning. (2004). In K. Barber (Ed.), Canadian Oxford Dictionary (2nd ed.). NY, NY: Oxford University Press.

14. References
McAlister, A., Puska, P., Koskela, K., Pallonen, U., & Maccoby, N. (1980). Psychology in action: Mass
communication and community organization for public health education. American Psychologist 35(4),
375-379. doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.35.4.375
Nelson, E. C., Batalden, P. B., & Lazar, J. S. (2007). Practice-based learning and improvement: A clinical
improvement action guide (2nd ed.). Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois: Joint Commission Resources.
Nutbeam, D. (2000). Health literacy as a public health goal: A challenge for contemporary health education
and communication strategies into the 21st century. Health Promotion International, 15(3), 259-267. doi:
10.1093/heapro/15.3.259
Smith, M. K. (2003) 'Learning theory', the encyclopedia of informal education, www.infed.org/biblio/b-
learn.htm, Last update: December 04, 2011

15. Search Strategy
• Once we split the topic focus we individually
searched our focus areas. One was a general
definitions and relationship search between
education, learning and quality improvement.
One searches learning theories and theorists and
two looked into single models or theories that
can be applied in student and practical contexts.
• Google scholar search with keywords: quality
improvement public health, public health
education, quality improvement education

16. Collaborative Process
• As a group we outlined the four major aspects of
our presentation and split the work accordingly.
• Since we are lucky to have Eva as a non-nursing
point of view, we put her in a position where she
can educate us on learning theory with relation
to public health.
• The presenter was chosen according to who has
not presented yet in the group to give fair
opportunity.