Effects of informal learner handover in clinical dental education
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2023-05-16
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Background It is currently under discussion whether Learner Handovers (LH) are beneficial, disadvantageous, or
useful in Health Professions Education. Research has not been conducted to determine the extent of existing informal
learner handover (ILH) through faculty discussions. In addition to providing stakeholders with added context, examining
the nature of ILH may also provide insight into the bias associated with Learner Handover.
Methods Transcripts from a series of semi-structured Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and interviews (from January
to March 2022) were iteratively reviewed to identify relevant patterns and correlations. The study involved the
voluntary participation of 16 active clinical dental faculty members with a variety of designations. We did not discard
any opinions.
Results It was found that ILH had a mild impact on students’ training. ILH effects can be categorized into four key
areas: (1) faculty behavior with students, (2) faculty expectations from students, 3) teaching approach, and 4) faculty
feedback practices. Furthermore, five additional factors were identified as having a greater influence on ILH practices.
Conclusions In clinical dental training, ILH has a minor effect on faculty-student interactions. Faculty perceptions and
ILH are strongly influenced by other factors contributing to the student’s ’academic reputation. As a result, studentfaculty
interactions are never free of prior influences, so stakeholders need to take them into consideration when
creating a formal LH.