Clinical instructor's experiences of clinical education at a chiropractic teaching clinic in KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This dissertation provides insight into the status of the clinical instructor’s experience of clinical education at a chiropractic teaching clinic in KwaZulu-Natal and aims to equip the profession to understand better how clinical instructors perceive their role in the clinical education of chiropractic students.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of the clinical instructors at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Chiropractic Day Clinic (CDC) as perceived by themselves. This study contributes to knowledge of the clinical education experience of clinical instructors at the DUT CDC. This information can assist the institution to better equip the clinical instructors for clinical learning, thus improving the educational experience of the students, and accomplishing the departmental and institutional vision and mission.

RESEARCH DESIGN: This study was conducted within a constructivist paradigm using a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design to explore the experiences of clinical instructors at the DUT CDC with regards to the clinical education setting. The constructivist paradigm as an epistemological position takes the view that knowledge of how things are is a product of how we come to understand them. This design concentrates on understanding and exploring meaning and the way people make meaning rather than proving a theory.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with chiropractic clinical instructors so as to explore their clinical education experience within the DUT CDC, until saturation was met. A total of 14 interviews were conducted and analysed. The data was transcribed and coded by the researcher as well as the research supervisor. Content was analysed using the Graneheim and Lundman (2004) framework.

RESULTS: The research question was answered and three primary themes that encompassed the experience of the chiropractic clinical instructors were identified. These were: clinical instruction and the role of the clinical instructor; interpersonal relationships in the clinical education setting; and the clinical education environment experience.