Physical therapy clinical education in a 2:1 student-instructor education model

Institute for Physical Therapy Education, Widener University, Chester, PA 19013, USA.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive qualitative field study was to explore a 2:1 student-clinical instructor (CI) model of clinical education and identify factors that promote or interfere with a successful 2:1 clinical education experience. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An initial conceptual framework was developed from the professional literature and researcher experience to bound the study and guide the study design and data analysis. The purposive sample consisted of three CIs and six students participating in a 2:1 clinical education experience. Observational data were collected during the rotation, and all subjects recorded their experiences in journals and participated in postexperience interviews. RESULTS: The data included descriptions of a typical day and themes about communication, advantages and disadvantages, and factors designed to make the 2:1 model feasible. Based on these results, a new conceptual model was developed to describe the key factors that positively influence the 2:1 clinical education model. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: This article presents descriptions of the 2:1 student-CI experience, identifies factors that may contribute to the success of the model, and offers implementation suggestions.

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				J. Strohschein, P. Hagler, and L. May Assessing the Need for Change in Clinical Education Practices Physical Therapy, February 1, 2002; 82(2): 160 - 172. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]