Physiotherapy students’ and clinical instructors’ perceptions on effective clinical teaching and learning methods

Abstract

Introduction: Clinical education is an essential form of learning in which it involves application of hands-on practice in real working environment to produce independent physiotherapists that are committed to life-long learning and engaged in professional practice. Objectives: This study aimed to determine what physiotherapy students and clinical instructors (CIs) perceived as effective clinical teaching and learning (T&L) methods. The difference perceptions between students and CIs were analysed. Methods: All enrolled physiotherapy students and CIs involved in the clinical education in UiTM were invited to participate. A self-administered questionnaire with questions adapted from previous study was distributed through an online platform. Results: 90 students and 32 CIs completed the questionnaire. Both students and CIs perceived feedback to the students (students: 1.76±0.71; CIs: 1.79±0.62) and patient-centred activities (students: 1.76±0.61; CIs: 1.91±0.58) as the most effective clinical teaching and learning methods. The choice of effective clinical teaching and learning methods were significantly different between students and CIs on participating in X-ray discussion, student self-assessment, assessment by other students and patients, and completing clinical folder for assessment. Conclusions: Feedback from instructors and patient-centered activities were perceived to be the most effective teaching and learning methods in the clinical setting by both students and CIs. These teaching and learning methods should be formally incorporated into clinical placement educational programs