Situational Supervision for Athletic Training Clinical Education

Abstract

Introduction: The medical education model provides the basis for athletic training students to learn theoretical and practical skills. Clinical rotations are completed where they apply what they have learned under the direct supervision of a clinical instructor (CI) or approved clinical instructor (ACI). Approved clinical instructors are taught how to evaluate athletic training students' clinical skills and proficiencies, yet are left to decide for themselves how students should be supervised. No formal supervision training is required for potential CIs/ACIs. Situational Supervision is one potential model that can be used by athletic training educators to provide guidance to CIs/ACIs regarding student supervision. This model provides a method for students to be supervised according to their knowledge base, experience and self-confidence. Objective: To present the Situational Supervision Model that can be used to develop athletic training students' clinical skills. Background: Based on Blanchard and Hersey's Situational Leadership, Situational Supervision provides CIs/ACIs with one supervision model that can be used in athletic training clinical education. Description: As students become more comfortable with clinical skills and mature in motivation and competence, CIs/ACIs need to adapt supervision styles to match the students' progressing development. Clinical Advantages: Using situational supervision, clinical instruction becomes a cooperative interaction between CIs/ACIs and athletic training students that is dependent on the students' needs and abilities, which may result in higher satisfaction and production for both the students and the CIs/ACIs.