"Practice Educators' Academy": A fundamental step to experiential training success in Qatar

Abstract

Background: Experiential learning is the backbone of many healthcare professional education programs 1 , and the quality of experiential learning is dependent on the skills, experiences, and proficiency of the clinical preceptors who largely contribute to this experience 2 . Preceptors should ideally possess both clinical practice and teaching skills; however, preceptors often do not possess formal training as educators 3 . This research was conducted at Qatar University with the aims of identifying preceptors' educational needs and developing the skills by designing an educational professional development program called: "The Practice Educators' Academy". Methods: A mixed-methods triangulation study design was applied to identify preceptors' educational needs quantitatively through a validated survey sent to preceptors (n = 325), and qualitatively by conducting 11 focus groups with preceptors (n = 20), students (n = 42), and clinical faculty members (n = 7). Quantitative and qualitative data in addition to an extensive literature review were used in designing the academy by an inter-professional healthcare and educational team. Results: Principles of learning theories, planning for experiential learning, teaching strategies, students' assessment and feedback, and communication skills for effective preceptorship and conflict resolution were the key domains expressed as preceptors' educational needs. A five-module program syllabus was designed to meet these needs while benchmarking it with international preceptors' educational development programs to achieve generalizability. The designed syllabus was critically examined and validated by national and international health professional education scholars. Table 1 demonstrates the validated syllabus. Conclusion: "The Practice Educators' Academy" syllabus is the first intervention nationally and regionally for preceptors to be better equipped with skills and knowledge required for their role as clinical educators, which will enrich the internship experiences of students. With that, preceptors can better prepare competent health profession graduates that will advance healthcare outcomes and meet the healthcare needs of Qatar society and ultimately contribute to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.