The roles instructors play in clinical education

Area of Science:

• Radiologic technology education
• Clinical education
• Healthcare pedagogy

Background:

• Clinical instructors in radiologic technology education are pivotal to student development.
• These educators assume multiple roles within the academic and clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the multifaceted roles of clinical radiologic technology instructors.
• To emphasize how educators' role portrayal impacts student learning and practical skill acquisition.

Main Methods:

• The study involves a conceptual analysis of the instructor's role in clinical radiologic technology education.
• It synthesizes existing literature on educational roles within healthcare professions.

Main Results:

• Key instructor roles identified include expert, formal authority, socializing agent, facilitator, role model, and person.
• Effective enactment of these roles is crucial for bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing the translation of theory into practice for radiologic technology students depends on the instructor's adept role performance.
• Understanding and implementing these diverse roles enhances the overall educational experience and clinical competency.