Clinical Instructors Experiences with Team Working in Clinical Education: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Professionalism
• Teamwork Dynamics

Background:

• Teamwork is crucial for effective clinical education.
• Promoting professionalism in learners requires a supportive educational environment.
• Clinical instructors play a vital role in fostering teamwork.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore clinical instructors' experiences with teamwork in medical education.
• To identify strategies for enhancing teamwork to promote learner professionalism.
• To understand the impact of a healthy educational atmosphere on professional development.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing semi-structured interviews and observations.
• Participants included 20 clinical instructors, 8 medical students, and 5 medical staff.
• Data analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman conventional content analysis.

Main Results:

• Clinical education is a manifestation of teamwork, requiring specific strategies and instructor leadership.
• Effective communication is central to successful teamwork, with facilitators and barriers identified.
• Teamwork-based clinical education enhances learner psychological security, cognitive skills, and accountability.

Conclusions:

• Empowering instructors through role modeling can combat individualism.
• Educational planning should prioritize teamwork to foster interdependence and team spirit in learners.