Developing Effective Clinical Trainers

Continuing education and training provides a means to improve performance among health care professionals (HCP). Research shows, however, that continuing professional education activities have inconsistent effects on HCP competence, performance, and patient health outcomes. Furthermore, the trainer’...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kevin Khamarko, Kimberly A. Koester, Jennifer Bie, Robert B. Baron, Janet J. Myers
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2012-05-01
Series:SAGE Open
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244012448486
Description
Summary:Continuing education and training provides a means to improve performance among health care professionals (HCP). Research shows, however, that continuing professional education activities have inconsistent effects on HCP competence, performance, and patient health outcomes. Furthermore, the trainer’s role as a facilitator of knowledge translation (KT) has been understudied. To understand how clinical trainers support their trainees in translating what they learned into practice, we conducted 16 in-depth interviews with expert trainers. These interviews yielded a variety of KT-enhancing strategies, including tailoring training activities to their trainees’ needs. In addition, participants recommended trainers familiarize themselves with their trainees’ work environments, be able to identify their knowledge deficits, and devote time to provide trainees with post-training support. Creating an effective training, one that leads to transfer, requires active planning, communication, and command of the training topic by skilled trainers.
ISSN:2158-2440