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Student and staff opinion of electronic capture of data related to clinical activity
1Department of Child Dental Health, University Dental Hospital Trust, Cardiff, UK.
Objective:
To seek the opinion of staff and students of a new electronic method for collection of data related to student clinical activity.
Design:
Questionnaire survey.
Setting:
Staff and students in the Department of Child Dental Health, Dental School, Cardiff, and staff in the Community Dental Service who undertake clinical supervision.
Method:
A questionnaire was circulated to all 2nd and 3rd clinical year dental undergraduate students seeking their opinion on a range of issues associated with the recently introduced bar code system of data gathering of their clinical activity and achievement. A similar questionnaire was circulated to staff who have responsibility for clinical supervision of these students.
Results:
A total of 102 replies were received. With the exception of 2 aspects, there was no disagreement between staff and students. An overall majority preferred the use of bar codes to other methods of data collection; bar codes were perceived to be more accurate and reliable than other methods; students were satisfied with the method of quality assessment; staff were dissatisfied (P < 0.05). Staff were strongly in favour of extension of the use of bar codes to other clinics, whereas students were less strongly in favour (P < 0.001); there was little enthusiasm to extend bar codes for recording attendance at lectures, seminars and other such activity.
Conclusion:
The new system has been accepted by staff and students alike. It has proven to be satisfactory for its intended purpose. As a result of this survey, minor adjustments to procedures will take place, and the method of assessment of clinical work will be reconsidered.