HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by FORTSCH, P. Articles by NIELSEN, L. E Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by FORTSCH, P. Articles by NIELSEN, L. E

Connecting Classroom to Clinical Practice: a Comparison of Programs

Purpose To compare student perceptions of their clinical field experiences in 3 distinct settings: the external model, in which course work and clinical experience are taught in separate institutions; the internal model, in which course work and clinical experience are taught within the same institution; and the bridging model, in which course work and clinical experience are taught in associated institutions.

Method Qualitative data were collected for 9 participants at 3 clinical sites through individual interviews, observations and focus group interviews.

Results Findings indicated that the participants appreciated the value of integrating their course work with their clinical experience, supervision that allowed freedom while providing support, frequent and honest feedback, recognition for their efforts (especially from patients) and the importance of interpersonal relationships for establishing trust. Students from the external model noted initial problems stemming from a lack of communication between the community college instructors and the clinical faculty. Students from the internal model noted a lack of conceptual preparation for the clinical experience.

Conclusion Results from the internal and external models stressed interpersonal relationships and cited a perceived lessening of the learning experience. A perceived lessening of the learning experience was not observed in the bridging model.