1. The Triad of Learning:
Benefits of General Medical Internships and Practicum’s in
Developing Clinical Skills in Health Care Professionals
Anthony S. Erisman, MS, ATC – Clinical Coordinator, Faculty Instructor of Athletic Training
Park University, Athletic Training Education Program
INTRODUCTION
This poster presentation will examine professional development opportunities for students enrolled in competency-based healthcare education programs and the impact clinical education
(commonly referred to as an internship) plays in the progression of their clinical skills. Clinical education can be described as the portion of a student’s professional preparation that involves
the formal acquisition, practice, and evaluation of clinical proficiencies through classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences in medical care environments. Entry-level certified athletic
trainers perceive that approximately 53% of their professional development came from clinical education. The presentation will (a) look at some of the different components that go into
preparing athletic training students for their internships/practicum’s, (b) examine different opportunities for students to gain clinical experience and (c) discuss a variety of ways that students
can utilize their experiences in the future.
References
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. Standards for the Accreditation of Entry-Level Athletic Training Education Programs.
Available at http://caate.net/documents/Standards.6.30.08.pdf. Accessed February 14, 2011.
Ford, CE. (1978). Clinical Education for the Allied Health Professionals. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 1978:1.
Laurent, T, Weidner TG. (2002). Clinical-education-setting standards are helpful in professional preparation of employed, entry-level certified
athletic trainers. Journal of Athletic Training, 37(supple): S-248-S-254.
Weidner, TG. (2002). Historical perspective of athletic training clinical education. Journal of Athletic Training, 37(4S), S-222-S-228.
Program Standards
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
•Clinical Faculty and Staff Qualifications
•Training seminars for clinical educators (CIE’s and ACI’s)
•Clinical Education Requirements
•“There must be opportunities for students to gain clinical
experiences associated with a variety of populations (i.e.
gender, general medical, different patient populations and
healthcare settings).
•Clinical experiences should be consistent with other
comparable academic programs requiring a clinical and
supervised component.
National Athletic Trainers’Association Education Council
•NATA Educational Competencies & Clinical Proficiencies
STUDENT
TRIAD OF
LEARNING
INSTRUCTOR SETTING
Preparing Students for Clinical Experiences
Curriculum and Instruction
Lecture Hands-On Lab Activities
Observations Simulations
Case Studies Assignments/Projects
Clinical Education Opportunities
Settings Learning Opportunities
High School Gender Specific
College/University Upper/Lower Extremity
Professional Sports Varying Levels of Risk
Private Practice Protective Equipment
Hospital General Medical/Surgical
Utilization of Clinical Experiences
Professional Utilization:
•Improve the standard of care by entry-level athletic trainers.
•Compliance with the BOC Standards of Professional Practice.
Personal Utilization:
•Personal health awareness.
•Educating family and friends.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Didactic
Education
(47%)
Clinical Education
(up to 53%)