Student and staff opinion of electronic capture of data related to clinical activity.
OBJECTIVE
To seek the opinion of staff and students of a new electronic method for collection of data related to student clinical activity.


METHODS
Questionnaire survey.


METHODS
Staff and students in the Department of Child Dental Health, Dental School, Cardiff, and staff in the Community Dental Service who undertake clinical supervision.


METHODS
A questionnaire was circulated to all 2nd and 3rd clinical year dental undergraduate students seeking their opinion on a range of issues associated with the recently introduced bar code system of data gathering of their clinical activity and achievement. A similar questionnaire was circulated to staff who have responsibility for clinical supervision of these students.


RESULTS
A total of 102 replies were received. With the exception of 2 aspects, there was no disagreement between staff and students. An overall majority preferred the use of bar codes to other methods of data collection; bar codes were perceived to be more accurate and reliable than other methods; students were satisfied with the method of quality assessment; staff were dissatisfied (P < 0.05). Staff were strongly in favour of extension of the use of bar codes to other clinics, whereas students were less strongly in favour (P < 0.001); there was little enthusiasm to extend bar codes for recording attendance at lectures, seminars and other such activity.


CONCLUSIONS
The new system has been accepted by staff and students alike. It has proven to be satisfactory for its intended purpose. As a result of this survey, minor adjustments to procedures will take place, and the method of assessment of clinical work will be reconsidered.
Oliver
R G
RG
Department of Child Dental Health, University Dental Hospital Trust, Cardiff, UK.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D018961:Educational Technology; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D005179:Faculty, Dental; D006801:Humans; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires