title: Exploring the experiences of novice clinical instructors in physical therapy clinical education: a phenomenological study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the perceptions of novice physical therapy clinical instructors (CIs) about their interactions and teaching behaviours with physical therapy students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A phenomenological approach using semi-structured interviews and a focus group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six novice physical therapy CIs (less than two years as a CI and supervised fewer than three students) were recruited purposefully from a large metropolitan area in the USA. All participants were credentialed by the American Physical Therapy Association as CIs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transcripts of interview data and focus group data were analysed using interpretative analysis for themes and subthemes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants viewed the transition of students from the classroom to the clinic as their primary role, using strategies of 'providing a way in', 'fostering critical thinking', 'finding a balance', 'overcoming barriers' and 'letting go'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While novice CIs showed skill in fostering student reflection and providing orientation, they struggled with student autonomy and balancing the competing obligations of patient care and clinical instruction. They expressed issues related to anxiety and lack of confidence. In the future, novice CIs could benefit from training and support in these areas.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. Electronic address: bgreenf@emory.edu.
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Greenfield
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Bridges
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Drill
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Gaydosik
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yandziak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004517:Education, Professional / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000193:education*; D011361:Professional Competence; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States
keywords: Clinical education; Clinical instructor; Education; Novice; Physical therapy; Professions