Learner : preceptor ratios for practice-based learning across health disciplines: a systematic review

Abstract

Regardless of the learner : preceptor ratio chosen for its expected benefits, our results illuminate challenges that can be anticipated and managed. Patient perspectives should be incorporated into future studies of learner : preceptor ratios.

Supervisor expertise to optimise learner : preceptor ratios

“…For example, in today's educational context there is a push to increase numbers of health professional graduates, resulting in greater demand for student placements. Such demand makes student : supervisor ratios an important consideration, one that is reviewed by Loewen et al . in this month's issue of Medical Education .…”

“…Loewen et al . note that: ‘…the systems used by professional programmes and their partner health care delivery organisations to deliver practice‐based education have many components which interact in complex ways.’ Navigating complex systems requires expertise whether the context is clinical, educational or both.…”

“…In both domains, situation‐specific expertise is associated with increased efficiency and reduced cognitive load. As a result, a 'successful supervisory process should not be considered purely as a function of the system within which the supervisor functions, but of his or her capacity to effectively navigate the complex environment created by the system: that is, the ability to identify and strategise the ‘challenges which can be anticipated and possibly managed’ is dependent upon the expertise and agility of the supervisor.…”

Nos réalisations et les défis de demain

“…De nouveaux modèles d'apprentissage par l'expérience sont utilisés afin de tirer profit des nombreuses et précieuses occasions de former les apprenants à différentes étapes de leur éducation tout en respectant les besoins en matière de capacité des multiples programmes de formation 4,5 . Les évaluations fondées sur les compétences sont aussi largement acceptées et utilisées de nos jours afin de s'assurer que les apprenants sont en mesure d'exercer à la hauteur de la performance attendue.…”

Accomplishments and the Challenges that Lie Ahead

“…New models of experiential learning are being employed to take advantage of the many valuable opportunities to train learners at different stages of their education, while meeting the capacity needs of multiple training programs. 4,5 Competency-based assessments are also now widely accepted and employed to ensure that learners are capable of practising at the expected level of performance. Together, these aspects of the education system necessitate the availability of more competent preceptors and improved infrastructure to support experiential training sites.…”