Clinical educators' attitudes towards technology, a mixed methods study

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Abstract

ABSTRACT
Introduction
In healthcare, there is ongoing flux in expectations for students and practitioners. Establishing integrated systems of monitoring and evidencing students’ development is imperative. With current trends towards the use of technology in tertiary education, online learning environments (OLEs) could constitute more effective evidencing of student progress in the clinical environment. However, there is little research exploring clinical educator’s experiences with implementing technology in clinical education.
The research aimed to:
• Examine clinical educators’ attitudes towards technology and its use in clinical education.
• Explore clinical educators’ experiences of implementing technologies in a clinical environment.
Methods
A mixed methods approach was taken to explore the aims. A previously validated technology attitude survey (TAS) was used with slight modifications, as well as open-ended qualitative responses. These explored clinical educators’ experiences of the implementation of one specific OLE (PebblePad™) in their clinical environments. The survey was sent to clinical educators involved in the supervision of Medical Imaging students on clinical placement.
Results
Clinical educators play pivotal roles in students’ professional development and, given current trends in tertiary education, are under increasing pressure to utilise OLEs. This poses particular challenges in clinical environments. Irrespective of the challenges, successful implementation of technology in any environment is dependent on the attitudes of the users.
Conclusions
Clinical environments have specific challenges when implementing technology such as access to computers and time constraints on practitioners. Even with positive attitudes towards technology, a change in pedagogical outlook when using technology in clinical teaching is necessary.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationePortfolios Australia
Subtitle of host publication2019 Forum Papers
Place of PublicationAustralia
PublisherePortfolios Australia
Pages29-38
Number of pages10
Publication statusPublished - 21 Nov 2019
EventePortfolio Forum 2019: Portfolios: Reflecting, Connecting and Credentialling - Australian Catholic University (ACU), Canberra, Australia
Duration: 20 Nov 201921 Nov 2019
https://eportfoliosaustralia.wordpress.com/forums/2019-eportfolio-forum-home-page/

Conference

ConferenceePortfolio Forum 2019
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityCanberra
Period20/11/1921/11/19
Internet address

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