Clinical Pairing Revisited: A Study at the University of Malaya, Malaysia

Abstract

This study is part of ongoing educational research conducted by the Department of Conservative Dentistry, University of Malaya, Malaysia, to evaluate the perception of clinical pairing. A thirteen-question survey was distributed to 148 dental students after they had experienced four-handed dentistry. The objectives were to identify the advantages, disadvantages, and the acceptance of the implementation of clinical pairing from the students' point of view. The responses from the open-ended questions were categorized into six main themes (areas of interest): quality-related (Q), patient-related (PT), partner-related (P), lecturer-related (T), infection control (IC), and learning environment (L). Data analysis was done using SPSS version 18. Results indicated that the students perceived they possessed enough knowledge regarding clinical pairing. However, it was found that they still preferred to work independently as compared to working in pairs. The beneits of clinical pairing may not be viewed in the same vein by both dental students and teachers. The quality-related theme was perceived by students as the main advantage of clinical pairing, whilst the partner-related theme was perceived otherwise. The study also revealed that students may have some preconceived notions about pairing that may have impaired their acceptance. As a consequence, some reluctance was seen in their responses.Dr. Ahmad is Senior Lecturer,

Satisfaction of optional pairing in clinical dental training

“…This partnership could also be jeopardized if a member of the pair, especially the assistant, decided to disappear from the clinical situation, thereby defeating the purpose of clinical pairing. 12 Usually clinical pairing is carried out in an obligatory fashion. It would be part of the curriculum and students' pairing would be arranged by dental school or department administrations.…”

“…It has been shown that students' performance can be enhanced through interdependence between students and the prospect of being able to learn from each other and exchange of knowledge between the operator and assistant can improve treatment procedures. 12 A recent study done in the United States assessing the satisfaction among students regarding pairing and implementation of 4-handed clinical training showed an overall satisfaction rate of 70.1%, with a positive impact on students clinical knowledge and experience. 9 Initially, dental students might find it challenging to adjust to a 4-handed clinical setting, which might lessen the stipulated benefits of this learning method.…”

“…6 In some dental educational institutions, clinical pairing was originally implemented due to an insufficient number of dental nurses to assist dental students. 12 Nowadays, with the financial burdens and challenges that dental education faces, clinical pairing proved to be beneficial to overcome problems, such as shortage of clinical supporting staff, limited dental chairs, and unsatisfactory teacher-student ratios. [13][14][15] In some settings, clinical pairing was imperative due to the ever-increasing intake into undergraduate dental courses, as well as dental schools being pushed to the limit in the provision of teaching staff and support facilities.…”

“…[13][14][15] In some settings, clinical pairing was imperative due to the ever-increasing intake into undergraduate dental courses, as well as dental schools being pushed to the limit in the provision of teaching staff and support facilities. 12,16,17 Pairing also served other goals, such as training students in a realistic 4-handed, efficient general practice model resembling an after-graduation work environment. 9,16 Additional benefits included increasing clinical contact hours with patients, enhance students exposure to various clinical supervisors and tutors, and to different clinical treatment protocols and procedures.…”

“…Nevertheless, clinical pairing is sometimes considered as a burden by students who may not grasp the importance of the assistant's role in their overall clinical training. 12 Previous studies reported many disadvantages, such as inability to work as a team, poor time management, and assistant students showing lack of committment. 18,19 This may be attributed to the fact that clinical pairing is usually an obligatory procedure and the pairs are chosen by the dental school administration.…”