From lecture halls to clinical corridors: Exploring student perspectives on the qualities and attributes of a health sciences educator

Background. Although the significance of the student-supervisor relationship in clinical education is well documented, there is a gap in understanding the specific qualities and attributes of educators that optimise the integration of theory and practice. Gathering insights from students on the role of educators can provide valuable guidance for enhancing the seamless integration of theoretical learning into practical clinical education, ultimately shaping the development of competent healthcare professionals. Objective. To explore the qualities and attributes of a health sciences educator from a student perspective. Methods. We conducted focus group interviews with 15 undergraduate optometry programme students. Data were assessed with content analysis using an inductive approach. Results. Students identified key qualities of lecturing staff that enhance theoretical grounding, such as the ability to provide practical examples. Additionally, students emphasised clinical educators’ positive and negative attributes as significant factors shaping the clinical learning environment. Insights from students led to recommendations aimed at improving the overall learning environment from their perspective. Conclusion. The findings of this study confirm the significant influence of the student-educator relationship on the learning experience, underscoring the importance of fostering a collaborative team dynamic within the integrative learning environment.