Implementation and evaluation of a new approach to clinical instruction

An approach to clinical instruction based on the Learning Vector model was introduced in a hospital laboratory during the 1985-86 academic year. Fifteen clinical instructors and nine medical technology students participated in the study. Clinical instructors attended an initial workshop on the model and met monthly during the academic year with the project directors to discuss their progress. The implementation of the model and the reactions of students and instructors to the model were evaluated using attitudinal questionnaires, interviews, and observations. Instructors were most successful using the model during the learning activities component of clinical instruction and were less consistent in implementing the model in the expectation-setting and evaluation components of instruction. According to instructors and students, advantages of this approach included improved communication, guidance and organization of instruction, and an increased emphasis on feedback and evaluation. The major constraint to implementation was a limited amount of time spent with students, due to scheduling or workload.