Teaching and Learning in a Clinical Environment

Are there differences in teaching and learning between the academic environment and the clinical environment?

YES!

Facilitate dissemination of knowledge, development of creative thought and student growth, award degrees

Provide high-quality patient care

Purpose

Academic Setting Clinical Setting

1. To student 2. To university

1. To patient and family

2. To clinical center

3. To student

Faculty/ supervisor accountability

Academic Setting Clinical Setting

To self To patients and families, supervisor, and clinical center

Student accountability

Academic Setting Clinical Setting

Dependent on curriculum; adaptable to student and faculty needs

Dependent on patient needs; less adaptable

Pace

Academic Setting Clinical Setting

Many students to one faculty member

One student to one supervisor

Student/ educator ratio

Academic Setting Clinical Setting

Summative at midterm or at the end of term; provided by faculty

Provided by patients and families, supervisor, and other staff; formative

Source of feedback

Academic Setting Clinical Setting

Able to plan, controlled

Limited control; various diagnoses and lengths of patient stay

Degree of faculty/ supervisor control of educational experience

Academic Setting Clinical Setting

Books, lectures, audiovisual aids, case studies, simulation

Situation of practice; patients, families, and staff

Primary learning tools

Academic Setting Clinical Setting

Abstract, theoretical

Pragmatic, applied in interpersonal context

Conceptual learning

Academic Setting Clinical Setting

Academic Setting Clinical Setting

Learning process

Teacher-directedPatient-, self-,

and supervisor-directed

High LowTolerance for ambiguity/ uncertainty

Academic Setting Clinical Setting

Academic Setting Clinical Setting

Lifestyle Flexible to plan time around class schedule

Structured; flexible time limited to evenings and weekends