Comparison of Clinical Education Status between the Viewpoints of Clinical Instructors and the Nursing and Midwifery Students in Islamic Azad University, Falavarjan Branch

Abstract Introduction: Improvement of the quality of clinical education requires continuous assessment of the current situation, identifying the strengths and improving the weaknesses through getting feedback from instructors and students. This study aimed to compare the viewpoints of clinical instructors and nursing and midwifery students about clinical education. Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, 33 clinical instructors and 361 nursing and midwifery students were selected from Islamic Azad University, Falavarjan Branch, using the census method in 2016. Data were collected using two-part self-reported questionnaire including demographic information and clinical education status' questionnaire in five dimensions (educational objectives and plans, instructor's performance, feedback and interaction with students in clinical field, educational environment, and supervision and evaluation). Data were analyzed using independent t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient by the SPSS 21 software. Results: The clinical education status in the viewpoints of the instructors was in a high level (50.03 ± 7.61) and in the viewpoints of the students was in a moderate level (23.63 ± 11.77). There was a significant difference between students' and instructors' viewpoints in all dimensions of clinical education (P < 0.05). Instructors with a higher education level assessed the level of supervision and evaluation of clinical education significantly lower (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The instructors, compared to the students, evaluated clinical education status more suitable. It seems that the instructors had more positive approach to training than the students. In contrast, in the viewpoints of students, the problems of clinical environment were more tangible and so they have reported weak assessment of their clinical training. According to the findings of the present study, providing suitable clinical educational environment and improving the interaction with student in the clinical field seems necessary for solving the problems of clinical education. Keywords: Clinical Education, Clinical Learning, Clinical Instructor, Nursing Student, Midwifery Studen