Student Stress: An Approach to Coping at the Interface Between Preclinical and Clinical Education

Abstract

The transition from preclinical to clinical education can provoke stress in students. This paper describes the nature of stress and outlines the use of a 'clinical coping workshop' at the University of Queensland, to identify and examine the particular stresses on physiotherapy students facing this transitional experience. Much of the stress experienced by students relates to the new behavioural responses required of them. It is suggested that negotiating an acceptable contract, related to student and tutor behaviour as much as to educational outcomes, can be helpful and is applicable in the clinical environment. Mutual expectations need to be openly shared in this process.

Can simulation replace part of clinical time? Two parallel randomised controlled trials

“…]’ as between ‘undecided’ and ‘somewhat agree’. This is not unusual 57 . Students’ confidence improved significantly and relatively equally in the SLE and Traditional groups in both RCTs, with all ratings shifting to ‘somewhat agree’ and ‘strongly agree’.…”

“…This is not unusual. 57 Students' confidence improved significantly and relatively equally in the SLE and Traditional groups in both RCTs, with all ratings shifting to 'somewhat agree' and 'strongly agree'. Students in both SLE models were also surveyed immediately after the SLE experience.…”

Begging to Differ? Clinicians’ and academics’ views on desirable attributes for physiotherapy students on clinical placement

“…The clinical educators' emphasis on COMMUNICATION and DISPOSITION as attributes of good students echoes previous findings on students' perceptions of good clinical educator behaviours (Cross, 1995;Emery, 1984;Farquhar & Holdman, 1982;Irby, 1978;Neville & French, 1991) which indicate that communication skills and interpersonal relationships take precedence over demonstration of professional skills. There is also evidence to suggest that these perceptions are shared by clinical educators (Cupit, 1988;Jarski et al, 1990). How far this emphasis is related to the long-term value of these skills in negotiating and participating in change, and how far to short-term Downloaded by [University of Tasmania] at 11:35 13 October 2014 expediency is debatable.…”

Physiotherapy students’ perceptions of an innovative approach to clinical practice orientation

“…Cupit (1988) refers to Message (1986) andFisher (1984) who state that stress can be 'anticipatory' rather than 'responsive'. These authors maintain that much energy might be spent not only on thinking about a future event, but also about the consequences of performances.…”

“…Although it might be argued that some stress is unavoidable, it would be wise to make an effort to investigate the ways in which unhealthy stress can be minimized (Cupit 1988 …”