Challenges of Clinical Learning Environment of Dental Students at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, 2018/19
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Date
2019-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Clinical learning is one of the main teaching methods in health professions, including dental education, and it has many strengths. It is focused on real problems in the context of professional practice. Learners/students are motivated because they are involved directly and participate actively,but clinical learning can be challenging, unpredictable, stressful, and constantly changing environment.
Objective: To identify the challenges, of the clinical learning environment of dental students at Addis Ababa University Dental Department, Ethiopia.
Material &Methods: An institution based qualitative study was conducted from Dec.2018 to Jan. 2019. The sample was obtained by purposive sampling of 4th, 5thyear and final year dental students. Data were collected by focus group (FG). Three FG discussions were conducted. (Groups contained 4 students from each year) using a semi-structured questionnaire. One data collector was selected. The information was recorded separately
and transcribed for thematic analysis. Ideas were grouped and analyzed depending on themes.
Results: Six themes were derived from the data analysis, which represented the students’ clinical learning challenges. These six themes included shortage of resources and maintenance problem, non-approachable & uncooperative instructors, poor teacher student relationship, evaluation and feedback, and non-organized administrative system
Conclusion: The results of this study clearly indicated presence of challenges and the most common challenges are shortages of resources (e g. dental materials and equipment’s),non-approachable and uncooperative clinical teachers and unsupportive clinical learning environment are the main challenges of clinical learning
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Keywords
Challenges, clinical learning environment, dental students.