Implementing Clinical Learning in Health Care Studies in Higher Education Institutions of Latvia: The Student Perspective

The purpose of this study was to disclose the opinions of the students on the implementation of clinical learning in health care studies in Latvian higher education institutions (HEIs). The study focusses on the awareness, evaluation, and recommendations of students for the effective adoption of clinical learning in their curricula. The volunteer sample (N=41) was composed of students from two HEIs (82% women) mostly from aesthetic cosmetology and medical massage programmes. A mixed-type structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. To analyse the data, the integration of thematic analysis of qualitative data with the frequency analysis of the data elicited by quantitative questions was applied. The students admitted that clinical learning is implemented in their curricula and explained it as the training in knowledge and practical skills in the workplace. The development of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and communication with experienced tutors was recognised as the greatest benefit, while the lack of time for this study form was observed as the major hindrance to clinical learning. It was also recommended to prepare clinical tutors for pedagogical work, improve the availability of teaching materials, and increase the opportunities to deal with clinical practice situations. Students also stressed the need for feedback from clinical teaching lecturers, experience of different clinical situations, and support of the team during clinical learning. The results of the given exploration coincide with the results of similar studies conducted in other countries, indicating that experience in the clinical environment and practical work during clinical learning ensure the best study results for future healthcare professionals. The results of this pilot study will pave the way for a larger study on the topic and will have an impact on the implementation of clinical learning in health care curricula in Latvia.