The role of clinical educators in physiotherapy clinical education: The student’s perspective

Abstract

Background and aim: Clinical educator’s play an important role in the training of physiotherapy students as they spend most of their time in a clinical setting. Clinical educators facilitate the integration of theoretical and practical components of physiotherapy education with actual patients in a real life situation. The aim of the study was to establish the clinical educator’s role as perceived by students.
Methods: Descriptive survey methods utilising a close ended questionnaire were used to collect data from students. A study sample of 80 students was used. Data collected were analysed using the SAS statistical program.
Results: Orientation was cited as the most important role of the clinical educator (94%), by the respondents. Teaching activities were the second most important category of the clinical educator’s role (75%). Assessment was the next category considered to form part of clinical educator’s role. Communication were not considered to be part of clinical educator’s role.
Conclusion: The students perceive orientation, teaching and assessment of performance activities to constitute the role of the clinical educator. Communication activities were rated not to form part of the clinical educator’s role.