Assuring Quality in Clinical Education

Abstract

The principle outcome of the undergraduate program, to qualify competent professional practioners, has been shown to be dependent on one-to-one guidance of students during their clinical placements. It is advised that clinical supervisors, clinicians and students use the same point of departure and approach to clinical teaching and training to ensure that the clinical education of each student meets minimum requirements.  A Clinical Work Manual was developed and is being used as a tool to ensure that an uniform approach to the clinical guidance of students is followed in the Occupational Therapy Division at Stellenbosch University. Findings of a descriptive study, undertaken to explore the role of the Manual in quality improvement, will be shared in this article.

The focus of the study was to obtain information from all the stakeholders regarding their understanding and frequency of use of the clinical work manual as a tool for clinical education of students.

The clinical work manual was found to be an appropriate tool in the process of quality improvement for clinical education. The recommendations regarding quality improvement can optimize the use of the clinical work manual by all stakeholders.