Factors Influencing Learning in Clinical Education
Katie O'Sullivan
Co-Presenters: Sabrina Rempel, Sophia Molinari, Anniyah Bilal, Siena Castagliola, Arianna Frontera, Lauren Sillito
College: The College of Health Professions and Human Services
Major: Speech-Language Pathology (M.A.)
Faculty Research Mentor: Sarah Patten
Abstract:
This qualitative study examines the perceptions of pre-professional students and clinicaleducators regarding key factors that promote effective learning and skill development duringfieldwork and clinical placements. It explores barriers and facilitators to supervision andprofessional preparedness (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, n.d.), addressinggaps in understanding the specific requirements that best support student learning. The studyinvestigates these perspectives across clinical education experiences in speech-languagepathology (SLP), occupational therapy (OT), and physical therapy (PT).Clinical education supervisors (CEs) and pre-professional students from KeanUniversity’s SLP, OT, and PT graduate programs completed surveys and participated in focusgroups to identify factors influencing learning, including preferred learning styles, feedback,support availability, and professional growth. The study aimed to recruit 10 participants fromeach category, totaling 60. Interdisciplinary and discipline-specific focus groups examined therole of interprofessional discussions in shaping clinical education.Quantitative data were collected via Qualtrics surveys, with descriptive and inferentialanalyses conducted in SPSS. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative focus group data.Findings will help enhance clinical education practices by identifying gaps between studentexpectations and available support.