Chapter 12
Preparing For The Clinical Experience
Introduction
For many courses, the clinical or professional educational program is where you get the opportunity to put it all together and, in a carefully supervised and controlled environment, get to be "the practitioner". For ease of description, the process will be referred to as clinical education. However, this chapter deals with all those educational experiences you may have in a professional setting, either within Faculty based clinics, or on placement at external organisations.
What do I need to know?
To make the most of your clinical experience, you need to prepare yourself, and find out:
- Do I have the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to make the most of what I will experience?
- Am I aware of the kind of placement I am going to - the place, the people, the client/patient population - so that I can maximise my learning?
- Do I know what they expect of me - the tasks I will perform, the level of competence I should exhibit, any prior reading I should undertake?
- Am I aware of the mechanical/procedural things - where the clinic/placement is, how I can get there, residential issues for non-metropolitan placements, what uniform/equipment I should have, what times I should attend, who I report to, and so on?
- What are the educational objectives set for this clinical experience - do I understand them, are they what I wish to get out of this clinic?
- What is the assessment/feedback mechanism and how can I make the most of this?
- What do I personally want from this clinical experience? What do I bring to it that will make it a quality learning experience? Am I carrying anything from past experiences that I should be aware of that will make this good, or not so good?
As this discussion shows, there are many questions, and probably many more that you might have. Further questions might be: What have I heard about this placement from other people, how accurate is their information? What about my part-time job, how will I fit it in? Where do I park? Where are the toilets? What is my supervisor's name - do I call her by her first name? Preparation will help relieve any anxieties you might have, and make it a better experience not only for you, but for the people you deal with in the clinical situation.
In addition to the questions you have about what you will experience, the Faculty of Health Sciences and the University also need to cover a few bases. Some of the issues are listed below.
- You may need a Police Clearance before you can work with clients in certain settings.
- There are special policies and procedures regarding illness, accidents and injuries (including immunisation and health status).
- Certain steps may need to be taken in the event that you clearly demonstrate unsatisfactory performance while on a clinical education program.
Where can I get some answers?
The two main sources of information are people and print. By asking those around you and consulting the relevant handbooks, manuals and handouts, you should be well equipped to make the most of your clinical education.
People
Faculty/School
- Subject Co-ordinator
- Clinical Co-ordinator
- Lecturers
- Tutors
Go to them with your questions and concerns, and make sure that they are aware of any problems or special needs you may anticipate (from your health to your transport). It is better they know in advance rather than to try to sort out any difficulties you might experience after the event. - Colleagues
Find out from students who have already been there and done that. Some of what you hear may be myth, some may be about that person's particular and individual reaction to a situation, but much of what you hear will be valuable preparation for your experience.
At the Clinic/Institution
- Clinical Supervisor
- Other staff in the area you will be working in
Under guidance from your Clinical Supervisor, it may be a good idea to contact your supervisor before you arrive, to get to know them, let them know you, and find out what preparation would help you (reading, visiting, thinking, doing).
Faculty of Health Sciences/University
- Study Skills Advisers
- Student Counsellors
- Student Organisations/Associations/Unions
When you are away from University, especially if you are in a non-metropolitan placement, study or personal difficulties can emerge or worsen, and you may even feel a little isolated. This need not happen; see the Adviser/Counsellor before you go so that you are well prepared, and have a strong line of support.
Significant Others
- Friends
- Colleagues
- Family
Clinical education is an exciting and demanding experience, and there are times when you may want to brief and debrief. Your friends and family are great to have at these times, and if you let them know just how you are feeling and what you need from them, it will make for a more rewarding experience for everyone.
Printed Information
- Clinical Handbook/Manual
- Further Reading
Most Schools provide students with a "Clinical Handbook" or "Clinical Manual" which will provide most of the information you could want or need. These books cover the mechanics of being on a clinical placement, assessment criteria, competencies levels and educational objectives, the policies and procedures that need to be followed, your rights and responsibilities, and who you can contact for further information. Once you have a hold of this book, carry it with you, it will be invaluable reading for you.