A model for clinical teaching and learning

A set of criteria to observe clinical teaching was developed and used to describe and evaluate the teaching behaviour of 24 tutors of medical students in their initial clinical skill term. The tutors had no previous instruction in teaching techniques, nor had their teaching been previously evaluated. The criteria used focus on six basic dimensions: the teaching/learning environment; the degree of intellectual challenge; the degree of interaction; the logical structure of teaching sessions; the quality of teaching skills; and the modelling of professional skills and attitudes. A continuum of teaching behaviour was observed in each dimension, with most tutors demonstrating adequate levels of performance in each. The tutors all strongly supported the evaluation and the feedback they received. Their subsequent teaching behaviour will be reviewed to assess the impact of this feedback.