Summer 2020 Clinical Education Update

Observations of a Clinical Education Team Newbie

By Nancy Walker

The COVID-19 pandemic created many changes in Dalhousie’s School of Physiotherapy programming. In March, on short notice, labs and placements were cancelled and all classes were transferred online. Extraordinary efforts have been made by everyone, not only at the School but the University and indeed, the world - to keep things moving safely. 

At a time when movement between provinces was inhibited without quarantining, and face-to-face interaction was prohibited, the Clinical Education Team was presented with the monumental task of ensuring revamped legal agreements, that accommodate COVID restrictions, were in place before students could resume their clinical learning. Innovative thinking, interprofessional cooperation and a substantial helping of hard work, produced an online Telehealth course. This free online course, made available to students as well as clinical educators, enabled dissemination of information and training that would open doors to alternative clinical placement opportunities during a time of scarcity.

Now, as restrictions begin to lift and physiotherapy practices begin to physically open their doors, we (the School along with its Clinical Education Team) want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the preceptors who have rearranged their schedules (including their vacations) and accommodated stringent health guidelines, to create quality placement opportunities for our students. Our students cannot graduate without you. We cannot function without a supportive community. A thank-you also goes out to our students who have been considerate during these challenging times.

It has been a difficult time, but with academic and clinical communities working together to create effective learning experiences for students and with students stepping up to the challenge, we know that the outcome will result in a graduating class of excellent physiotherapists experienced in adapting to change.
I have only recently joined the Clinical Education Team but in a short time I have learned many new things like – What is HSPnet anyway!? And ACP? Having said that, I have been with the School for 24 years and I can tell you I have a great admiration for the work that has been done by the School and the physiotherapy community, not only now, but over the years - to ensure our students become excellent clinicians and meet the criteria required to graduate and practice in the wonderful profession of physiotherapy.

I know that I speak on behalf of the School of Physiotherapy by expressing, an enormous thank you to all involved, but particularly to the community preceptors who take on the extra challenge of educating our future physiotherapists!
Kudos, stay safe, it is a pleasure!

Nancy Walker is an instructor in the master's curriculum at the School of Physiotherapy. She has many years of clinical experience working in the private and public sector - and a love of working with students.