Graduate Students’ Clinical Self-Efficacy: Impact of an Intensive Cleft Lip and Palate Clinical Practicum

Abstract

This study aimed to examine self-efficacy as graduate students gained clinical skills during an intensive international cleft lip and palate (CLP) clinical practicum. A total of 17 graduate students in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Teachers College (TC), Columbia University, participated in a CLP clinical practicum for 5 days and completed a self-efficacy survey that measured their confidence in evaluation, treatment, and professional behavior at the beginning and end of their CLP clinical practicum. Clinical supervisors answered questions regarding graduate students’ performance at the end of their CLP clinical practicum. A significant pre-to-post-practicum group effect was found for all dependent variables under the self-efficacy evaluation and treatment categories. Supervisors’ perceptions of students’ initial performance and progression were overall consistent with the students’ ratings of self-efficacy. This intensive practicum program for CLP may be an effective way to increase graduate students’ experiences in working with children with CLP.