A Collaborative Model for Pediatric Clinical Education: From Design to Implementation

Collaborative clinical education models where 2 or more students are supervised by one clinical instructor in a clinical setting effectively support student learning and self-confidence. Use of collaborative models in specialized clinical education settings has not been widely adopted. This paper explores using Kern's 6-step approach to develop and implement a collaborative clinical education model.

The process began with a general needs assessment focused on the scarcity of clinical placements in specialized fields, culminating with a decision to pilot a collaborative clinical education model. In step 2, a targeted needs assessment identified a specific pediatric clinic in which to implement the model. During steps 3 and 4, the faculty and clinical partner developed overarching goals and educational strategies for the clinical education experience. Step 5 focused on implementation, including securing institutional support, preparing students, and addressing logistical challenges. The final step of the model was assessment through review of objective data.

All overarching goals and objectives of the program were met. Evaluation using interviews with students, clinical instructors, and patient caregivers indicated high satisfaction and achievement of clinical competence.

The collaborative model successfully met educational requirements and improved patient outcomes. This paper underscores the necessity of innovative clinical education strategies to meet growing demands and suggests that such models can effectively prepare students for specialized practice areas. This approach demonstrates the feasibility and value of using a framework to implement a clinical education model.