13. A longitudinal qualitative study exploring the role of the clinical teacher (162)

Glynis Bennett, Principal Lecturer, School of Care Sciences, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd,Wales, United Kingdom
gbennett@glam.ac.uk

Abstract:

Background:

The role of the clinical teacher is one of many new clinical support roles established as a result of changes in the pre-registration nursing and midwifery curriculum ( UKCC 1999). One of the main responsibilities of the clinical teacher is to prepare and support mentors for their role (NMC 2002). The diversity of the ‘new’ clinical teaching/support roles and the lack of evaluative research concerning their effectiveness prompted this study. This paper will report the findings of a longitudinal qualitative study which aimed to explore the role of the clinical teachers in one Welsh NHS Trust. This was undertaken as part of a larger evaluative study of the clinical teachers role.

Methods:

A longitudinal approach was adopted, this allowed for any changes in the clinical teachers role to be captured over time (Rees 2003). The strengths and weaknesses of using this approach will be explored. All clinical teachers ( n = 10) participated in the study and a total of 27 semi-structured interviews were carried out over an 18 month period in 2004/2005. Interviews lasted between 45 and 60 minutes and were tape recorded and transcribed, data were analysed using NVivo 2.

Findings & discussion:

The clinical teachers were found to have a diverse role which expanded over the time frame of the study, this has ultimately resulted in a lack of time to spend supporting mentors in practice. The competing demands placed on clinical teachers from both the Trust and the University also changed and increased over time, this, alongside the uncertainty concerning future funding for their posts, caused the clinical teachers a great deal of frustration and anxiety.

Conclusions:

The paper will conclude by exploring the future role of the clinical teacher and in particular the feasibility of providing different levels of support to mentors in practice.

Biography:

Glynis Bennett has been a senior lecturer/principal lecturer in the School of Care Sciences since 1992. Glynis completed her nurse training in the University Hospital of Wales and her clinical experience was gained primarily within the intensive care setting. Her current role includes teaching research across the curriculum and she has played a key role in the development of research teaching and training within the school. Her research interests include education, infection control issues and primary health care.