Longitudinal integrated clerkship engagement of clinical associate students in South Africa: Evidence of e-logbook data
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Abstract
Background. Clinical associate (ClinA) students from various clinical learning centres (CLCs) need to show timely evidence of their longitudinal integrated clerkship (LIC) exposure; therefore, an electronic logbook was introduced.
Objective. To describe patients logged by second- and third-year ClinA students during their LIC rotation in 2022 from 15 CLCs in four South African provinces.
Method. This study was a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients logged in 2022 by students in hospitals and clinics. Second- and third-year ClinA students were allocated to rural and urban CLCs where patient logging was done electronically.
Results. Across 15 CLCs, 88 ClinA students logged 26 392 patients. The age range of the patients was between 0 days and 106 years. Of the 12 925 patients logged by third-year students, most patients (28%) were logged in the emergency medicine discipline. Second-year students logged most patients in the musculoskeletal theme (18% of 13 406). The students selected specific diagnoses for 12 417 patients. The top five diagnoses were: HIV (n=3 217), hypertension (n=3 173), trauma (n=2 223), pregnancy related (n=2 123) and diabetes (n=1 734). Second-year students did not log many paediatric and mental health patients.
Conclusion. Because of authentic learning and exposure to various diagnoses, patients and procedures during their LIC, ClinA students will most likely be well prepared for the workplace. The students’ e-logbook data recorded during LIC demonstrate their clinical exposure and learning opportunities.
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