Supporting Student Learning During Physical Therapist Student Internships Using Online Technology

Abstract

Background and Purpose. All students enrolled in physical therapist (PT) graduate programs are required to complete full-time clinical internships. The internships are synchronized so that all students in a cohort are off campus at the same time and are isolated from sharing learning experiences with their fellow classmates. The purpose of this project was to describe the development implementation and evaluation of a Web-based program that supports student learning and critical-thinking (CT) skills during PT students' clinical internships. Method/Model Description and Evaluation. Eighty-one PT master's degree students across all levels were divided into 2 groups. Thirty-nine students participated in the online program during their internships and 42 students completed their internships without participating in the online program. Participating students enrolled in an online component of their internships using WebCT. The course outline provided 4 areas of participation, including directed threaded discussions, a weekly e-journal, 2 open bulletin boards for questions, and weekly live-chat office hours. Students were required to participate in threaded discussions focusing on subjective assessment, ethical practice, and time management, and were expected to make a PT case presentation to their fellow students online. Assignments were designed to facilitate CT skills. CT skills were measured before and after the internships using the California CT Skills Test (CCTST). A post-internship survey was also administered to both groups to assess communication with classmates during the internships and effectiveness of the online program. Outcomes. Sixty-four percent of students participating in the online support program felt the program was beneficial in that it allowed communication and interaction with classmates across different levels of the program. The free discussion areas for student issues and treatment ideas received the most postings with 70 and 90, respectively. Seventy percent of the students felt the weekly e-journal was a beneficial source of reflection. Eighty-two percent averaged an hour online per week, and 77% found WebCT easy to use. There were no significant differences in CT skills before or after the internships between the online and non-online groups. Participating students recommended dropping required postings in favor of free discussion areas due to the stress and constraints of their internships. The instructor/academic coordinator of clinical education (ACCE) found the e-journals and student discussions aided in an awareness of problems occurring in the clinic facilitating mid-term visits and conflict resolution. Discussion and Conclusion. Students benefited from access to their classmates and professor using online technology during their clinical internship, resulting in a positive learning experience for the students. The online program did not appear to effect students' CT skills. Offering students a virtual environment to communicate questions and concerns with the professor and classmates during their clinical internships may benefit both the students and the professor. Key Words: Online technology, Clinical education, Clinical internships, California CT skills test. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is increasingly becoming a method of facilitating learning in physical therapist (PT) education and changing how the academy approaches teaching and learning.1-14 CAI includes software packages that assist in the classroom instruction of foundational knowledge topics such as anatomy, kinesiology, and research, and using Web-based programs such as Blackboard* or WebCT to create a virtual classroom environment.2-14 Online learning strategies using bulletin boards and threaded discussions are intended to replace on-site classroom interaction and discussion.9,10 Distance education or learning is a new aspect of CAI being used in PT education, including using Internet technology to conduct clinical site visits. …