Identifying Student and Clinical Instructor Perceptions Regarding the Implementation of a 2:1 Collaborative Clinical Education Model for Physical Therapist Assistant Students at Gateway Technical College

Abstract

This study identified student and clinical instructor perceptions regarding the implementation of the 2:1 collaborative clinical education model. Gateway Technical College PTA students most commonly utilize the 1:1 traditional model of clinical education where one student is paired with one clinical instructor. Due to continued challenges in healthcare, alternate models of clinical education are being explored. One of these models is the collaborative 2:1 model where two students are paired with one clinical instructor. The 2:1 model has been met with varying amounts of both support and resistance. In order to identify existing perceptions, two surveys were crafted based on a literature review on aspects of the 2:1 model for clinical education. PTA students and clinical instructors agreed that the 2:1 model increased student clinical confidence and provided increased learning opportunities. However, respondents had concerns regarding challenges with student personality differences, variances in learning styles, limited clinic space, and increased stress for clinicians. Both students and clinical instructors did not believe the 2:1 model improved the quality of clinical education, and the majority of clinicians preferred the traditional 1:1 model. PTA students preferred the 1:1 model but would be willing to try the collaborative model in future clinical placements.