Queensland Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Collaborative, Part 5: Students Experiencing Difficulty

Part 5: Students Experiencing Difficulty

Working with students who are experiencing difficulty

The material in this Part provides suggestions, resources and case examples to assist the clinical educator with the successful and timely management of concerns regarding student performance, behaviour or ability to successfully complete the placement.

Students in clinical education are undoubtedly an investment of your time and energy and, the challenging student, even more. It is important to know where you can access support and what strategies you can use to work with the student who is experiencing difficulty.

Examples of why you may find a student challenging include issues such as the following: Perhaps the student:

demonstrates inconsistent levels of clinical performance and competence
is at risk of failing one or more core learning objectives
demonstrates difficulty translating theory into practice
demonstrates inappropriate behaviour and presentation
displays limited interaction and communication skills with client
displays lack of interest, motivation and initiative
displays inadequate preparation, organisational and prioritisation skills
responds inadequately to feedback - failing to effectively utilise feedback to improve performance.

(Maloney, Carmody & Nemeth, 1997, as cited in Clinical Placement Advisory Committee [CPAC], 1997).

Students may experience difficulty during their clinical placement for a number of reasons, including:

personal stressors (social, mental and physical health, relationship issues, domestic and financial stressors)
stress relating to other work commitments and university deadlines
unclear expectations
lack of confidence
lack of receipt of feedback regarding performance
limited clinical experience
negative experience in previous clinical placement

(McAllister, Lincoln, McLeod & Maloney, as cited in Dunwoodie, Fitzgerald, Hill & Patane, 2006, June)

Whatever the circumstances, if the student's performance, behaviour or health status is affecting their ability to meet the placement learning objectives and competencies required of them, then it is important to address the concerns as soon as they become obvious.

"address issues early on and document, document, document" K.Adam, OT clinical educator, workplace rehabilitation practice (personal communication, May 10, 2007)

A suggested process for managing such concerns follows ...

Next ---> Managing Student Concerns

» Managing Student Concerns
Identify and explore the problem "[If a] student is not improving on prac [sic.] - this is usually when they are either unclear on expectations, poor self-evaluators, or unable to identify what it is they are not learning nor how ...

» What If My Student Is Still Failing?
What if my student is still failing, even after all the feedback and performance improvement strategies? Despite all the efforts you, the student and others have made, it may still be necessary to assign a failing grade. Ensure you...

» Case Studies
Clinical Educator Case Stories "One student became depressed during the course of the placement and withdrew entirely from the program for 6 weeks. I was very concerned about her health and wellbeing as she was culturally and sociall...

» Relevant Resources and Workshops
The University of Queensland Workshop: "Managing Challenging Students" Contact Wendy Davila, Clinical Education Liaison Manager ph: 3365 4518 email: w.davila@shrs.uq.edu.au...

» Reference List
Dunwoodie, R., Fitzgerald, C., Hill, A., Patane, A. (2006, June). Inter-professional workshop for professional practice educators. [Powerpoint presentation, print version]. Maloney, D., Carmody, D. & Nemeth, E. (1997) Students experien...