Raising the Proverbial Bar: Development of a Novel Tool to Assess Clinical Educators
Students typically assess clinical instructors at the end of each clinical experience using a summative approach. Unfortunately, these assessments are infrequently shared with the clinical instructors. While research has identified clinical instructor behaviors shown to positively impact student learning, current assessment of clinical instructors does not explicitly evaluate these behaviors. In order for clinical teaching behaviors to evolve, improve, and adapt, assessment and feedback must be provided. A tool which explicitly captures meaningful constructs of excellence in teaching, from both student and clinical instructor perspectives, could illuminate areas for growth, identify key professional development needs, and ultimately elevate the teaching level exhibited by clinical instructors. Formal clinical instructor assessment is an important step on the path toward recognition of clinical instructors and clinical learning environments which embody a culture of excellence. The speakers will review current methods of clinical instructor assessment and present a novel clinical instructor assessment tool designed to assess clinical teaching from multiple stakeholder perspectives. Presenters will describe the creation and initial piloting of the tool in full-time clinical experiences, and engage the audience in discussion and idea-sharing to facilitate next-steps in the process for clinical instructor assessment.