Navigating Student Mental Health Concerns As a DCE
Purpose: The purpose of this session is to describe the role of the Director of Clinical Education (DCE) when managing student mental health concerns during clinical education experiences, using a recent study completed by the presenters as a backdrop for discussion, problem-solving, and idea sharing about these challenging situations.
Methods and/or Description of Project: The session will begin with a background of the issue of student mental health in physical therapy and other health profession education. Presenters will then describe their mixed methods research study that utilized a survey tool to explore the experiences and perceptions of DCEs when managing a student facing mental health challenges. Participants will then be given the opportunity to work in small-groups to discuss and problem-solve two case-studies, allowing opportunity to generate ideas on necessary institutional resources and training that might help to support the DCE and ultimately the student. The session will conclude with a large-group wrap-up discussion and ample opportunity for further dialogue and questions.
Results/Outcomes: Participants will leave this session with a greater understanding of the prevalence of mental health concerns in Doctor of Physical Therapy students, particularly during clinical education experiences. The research study presented in the session will provide participants greater insight and specific data surrounding the current state of the DCE role in these situations, as well as the differences between institutions and curricula that may impact how a DCE supports these students. Finally, participants will be able to recognize what resources, both internal and external to their institution, may be available to aid in their management of student mental health concerns.
Conclusions/Relevance to the conference theme: This session highlights an additional challenge that DCEs face when supporting students during their clinical education experiences. In-depth exploration of this issue may lead to coordination of institutional and programmatic support of students and DCEs who are facing these types of concerns, ultimately setting all clinical education stakeholders up for greater success.