Effective Clinical Teaching Strategies in Audiology: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis

Area of Science:

• Audiology education
• Clinical teaching strategies
• Student learning outcomes

Background:

• Effective clinical education is crucial for developing competent audiologists.
• Limited research focuses on student perceptions of effective clinical teaching approaches.
• Existing evidence often prioritizes educator perspectives over student experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify themes in clinical teaching strategies perceived as most effective by Doctor of Audiology (AuD) students.
• To explore student perspectives on impactful clinical instruction during placements.
• To gather insights for improving audiology clinical education.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research utilizing Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis.
• Analysis of open-ended survey responses from 62 AuD students.
• Data coded and grouped into themes based on student-reported positive learning impacts.

Main Results:

• Five key themes emerged: engaging student thought, fostering independence, providing productive feedback, offering a supportive approach, and utilizing effective teaching strategies.
• Overlapping codes across themes highlight the interconnectedness of effective clinical instruction.
• Students valued a clear path to independent learning, feedback, and questioning techniques.

Conclusions:

• Effective clinical teaching strategies for AuD students encompass engaging thought, independence, feedback, support, and explicit instruction.
• Student learning needs vary, requiring adaptable teaching approaches.
• Findings can inform audiology clinical instructor training to enhance student learning experiences.