ARTICLES

 

Assuring quality in clinical education

 

 

Juanita Bester^I; Susan Beukes^II

^IB Occupational Therapy, BSc (Hons), MPhil, Post Graduate Diploma in Program Monitoring and Evaluation (Stell). Lecturer, Division of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch
^IIB Occupational Therapy, BSc (Hons), M Occupational Therapy(Stell). Senior Lecturer and Head of Division of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

The principle outcome of the undergraduate programme, to qualify competent professional practioners, has been shown to be dependent on one-to-one guidance of students during their clinical placements. It is advisable 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 a uniform approach to the clinical guidance of students is followed in the Occupational Therapy Division at the University of Stellenbosch. Findings of a descriptive study, undertaken to explore the role of the Manual in quality improvement, will be provided 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 the 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 optimise the use of the clinical work manual by all stakeholders.

Key words: Quality Assurance, Clinical Work Manuals, Undergraduate Clinical Education

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References

(1) Stellenbosch University. Learning and teaching policy. 2007 http://stbweb02.stb.sun.ac.za/ctl/beleide/LEARNING%20AND%20TEACHING%20POLICYpdf 17/10/11.         [ Links ]

(2) HPCSA. Minimun standards for the training of Occupational Therapists. Available at: http://www.hpcsa.co.za. Accessed 03/25, 2011.         [ Links ]

(3) Stellenbosch University. Policy on teaching and learning materials. 2007 http://stbweb02.stb.sun.ac.za/ctl/beleide/POLICY%20ON%20TEACHING%20AND%20LEARNING%20MATERIALS.pdf 17/01/11.         [ Links ]

(4) Division of Occupational Therapy, Stellenbosch University. Clinical work manual. 2009. Unpublished.         [ Links ]

(5) Braveman B. Leading & managing occupational therapy services : an evidence-based approach. Philadelphia: Davis, 2006.         [ Links ]

 

 

Correspondence:
Juanita Bester
jbes@sum.ac.za