title: Clinical education from a specialized accreditation viewpoint: a report of the ASAHP clinical education task force.
abstract: Access to clinical education poses national challenges to allied health training programs. Clinical education is paramount to providing future health professionals with experiences that support competencies for success in their individual fields.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ASAHP Clinical Education Task Force interviewed 14 executive directors of various specialized accreditation agencies on clinical education issues and opportunities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interview questions were compiled and analyzed by members of the task force. Similarities across disciplines were found on the high value of clinical education, key reasons for clinical education, and the expansion of interprofessional education. Major differences included the use of simulation and its replacement for clinical hours, measurement of quality of education and student feedback, and the use of portfolio assessment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Of 14 professions surveyed, all respondents regarded clinical education as "very important" to student competency and certification. A common theme was that decisions regarding clinical education were under the auspices of the training programs as long as students were able to demonstrate specified competencies as per the standards in each field. Most directors acknowledged the need to accommodate changes in clinical education methodology and some discussed related changes in accreditation requirements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 100% participation by executive directors spoke to the willingness of the accreditation agencies to share information on education of the future healthcare workforce. The clinical education environment is poised for innovation in methods to teach skill development and build competencies. ASAHP partnership and teamwork with specialized accreditation agencies is a fruitful avenue for creating and maintaining excellence in clinical education.
authors.affiliation: SHRP Department, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 3665 Hollenshade Drive, Rochester Hills, MI 48306, USA. Tel 248 622-7494, fax 248 475-9003. romigbd@umdnj.edu.
authors.forename: Barbara D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Romig
authors.forename: Julie O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan Maillet
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Chute
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D026683:Advisory Committees; D016390:Allied Health Occupations / Q000193:education*; D003479:Curriculum; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016544:Patient Simulation; D014481:United States