An evaluation of clinical facilitation in the Nursing College of the Eastern Cape province

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Clinical teaching and training is undertaken to correlate theory and practice (Mellishet al., 1998:211). Clinical teaching is the means by which student nurses learn toapply the theory of nursing in a clinical situation so that an integration of theoreticalknowledge and practical skills in the clinical situation becomes the art and science ofnursing. (Mellish et al., 1998:207). The role of the lecturer/facilitator is to bridge thetheory-practice gap between nursing education and practice. Since the merger of thenursing colleges in the Eastern Cape Province (South Africa) and the abolishment ofthe clinical department in the hospital it became essential to evaluate the clinicalfacilitation needs of students and tutors.For the purpose of this study the researcher evaluated the clinical facilitation, with thefocus area being on the clinical needs and problems of nursing tutors and nursingstudents at a nursing college in the Eastern Cape Province.The objectives of this study were to determine the following: the clinical facilitationneeds of student nurses of the Nursing College, clinical facilitation needs of tutors ofthe Nursing College, clinical facilitation related problems facing student nurses andtutors in the Nursing College and associations between the clinical facilitation of thecampuses of the Nursing College.The following research question was evaluated: What are the needs and problems ofnursing students and tutors in clinical facilitation at the Lilitha Nursing College?The research methodology was a descriptive exploratory design with a quantitativeapproach. The population for this study was the fourth-year nursing students, and alltutors of the nursing college.A convenient sample was drawn. All students available at the time of data collectionwere included in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data.The final sample of students was N =100 (45%) of a total population of 222 students.The final sample of tutors was N=35 (36%) of a population of 97. Reliability and validity were assured by means of a pilot study and the use of expertsin nursing education, research methodology and statistics. Data were collectedpersonally by the researcher.Ethical approval was obtained from Stellenbosch University, Department of HealthECP, and Head of the Nursing College and Principals of the campuses. Informedwritten consent was obtained from the participants.Statistical associations with reference to clinical facilitation between the variouscampuses of the nursing college were determined using the Chi-square tests. Theresults of this study are presented in percentages, tables and histograms.On completion of the study the following recommendations were made:standardization of policies and procedures; preplanning and publishing of clinicalplacement dates; manuals, rules, student needs and outcomes be available beforeclinical placement; improvement of communication between clinical staff, facilitatorsand students; improvement of infrastructure, equipment and materials.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University