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Relationships in Clinical Education

1. Communication as a Foundational Framework for Effective Relationships

 

These resources examine effective communication as the foundation for successful student-­clinical educator relationships. They contain strategies to improve your listening skills and examine the powerful role of language in effectively communicating a message.

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Documents & Articles (Read)

The Supervisory Process: An Experience of Interpersonal Relationships and Personal Growth (Marisue Pickering)

This essay presents the view that the supervisory process is an experience of interpersonal relationships and communication, and of personal needs and perspectives.

The Supervisory Process: An Experience of Interpersonal Relationships and Personal Growth

 

12 Habits Of Genuine People (Dr. Travis Bradberry, Huffington Post)

In this guest editorial, Dr. Bradberry speaks to the importance of genuineness and authenticity in forging trusting and productive relationships.

12 Habits Of Genuine People

 

Challenges and Strategies for Building and Maintaining Effective Preceptor-Preceptee Relationship among Nurses (Matua et al.)

This research discusses the challenges encountered and strategies used by nurse preceptors to build effective professional relationships during the preceptorship of final year nursing students.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4205066/

 

Preceptor Corner (Duke University School of Nursing)

This website includes information on characteristics of effective preceptors, communication expectations, conflict resolution, preceptor/student relationship (how to deal with overconfident student), and other issues.

https://nursing.duke.edu/cop/cop-article/preceptors-corner

 

Characteristics of Effective Student/Supervisor Relationships (ClinEdAus)

This web page has bullet point lists related to building effective relationships with students and tips for communication. A video on communication is also available on this page.

https://www.clinedaus.org.au/topics-category/characteristics-of-effective-studentsupervisor-180

 

Defensive Communication (Jack R. Gibb)

This article explains the notion of “defensiveness” in communication and highlights ways to shift from a defensive to a supportive climate in our interactions with others.

Defensive Communication

 

The Student’s Perspective on What makes an Exceptional Practice Placement Educator (Susan Mulholland, Michele Derdall, and Brigitte Roy)
While the students surveyed are in training for occupational therapy, the themes that emerged apply to CSD. This article is for someone striving to improve the quality of the practice placement and learning experience for their student.

The Student’s Perspective on What makes an Exceptional Practice Placement Educator

 

The Art and Value of Good Listening (Psychology Today)
This article outlines the three most important behaviors needed to be a “good listener.”

The Art and Value of Good Listening

 

Expectations and Goals in Clinical Supervision (Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors)

In this article, the importance of establishing a trusting, collaborative relationship between student and clinical instructor is discussed.

Expectations and Goals in Clinical Supervision

 

The Antidote to Anger and Frustration (Guy Winch Ph.D.)

While not about supervisory relationships specifically, this article discusses the importance of validating other’s emotions in our communications.

The Antidote to Anger and Frustration

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Videos (Watch)

Gibb’s Supportive and Defensive Climates (Lori Zakel)
Gibb’s Supportive and Defensive Climates
This video further explores the six behaviors identified by Gibb that trigger a defensive response and the six contrasting behaviors that can maintain a supportive climate.

 

5 Ways to Listen Better (Julian Treasure)

An engaging and informative talk regarding the challenges in listening in today’s world.

https://youtu.be/cSohjlYQI2A

 

The Power of Words: Susan Wranik at TEDx Arcadia University (TedxTalks)

This video offers some additional information about speech pathology clinical placements.

https://youtu.be/DC2eT5nhDvI

2. Conflict Resolution & Difficult Conversations

These resources explore conflict in supervisory relationships and offer concrete strategies for turning conflict into a productive tool for professional growth. You will also find strategies for providing feedback in a positive and constructive manner that supports the continued growth of your supervisees.

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Documents & Articles (Read)

Conflict in Supervision: Avoidable or Useful? (M. Lee Nelson)

This brief article discusses some of the key points from the author’s study of “wise supervisors” and their response to questions about conflict in supervision and their strategies for dealing with it.

Conflict in Supervision: Avoidable or Useful?

 

We Have to Talk: A Step-By-Step Checklist for Difficult Conversations (Judy Ringer)

This is a really great resource for supporting supervisors who may need to have difficult conversations with their supervisees. It offers a checklist of action items to think about before going into the conversation; some useful concepts to practice during the conversation; and some tips and suggestions to help you stay focused and flowing in general, including possible conversation openings.

We Have to Talk: A Step-By-Step Checklist for Difficult Conversations

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Videos (Watch)

Difficult Conversations (Lauren Mackler)

This video looks at having difficult conversations from a business perspective. However, you will find these strategies equally useful as a clinical educator.
https://youtu.be/fE3ZHWaGhEE

 

Giving Feedback (Susan Leahy)

This video offers useful advice on giving feedback. Susan Leahy shares her “CHIRP” techniques which gives an easy to follow script when you need to give feedback.

https://youtu.be/_bArBXdMQVw

 

How to Have Difficult Conversations (Brendon.com)

In this video, Brendon Burchard shares his four tips for having more meaningful conversations that support a healthy relationship.

https://youtu.be/9-xmbBSeu-s

 

Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are (Amy Cuddy, Ted Talks)

This remarkable video speaks to how we present and the value of learning to develop a "power pose."

https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_may_shape_who_you_are

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