Conducting Pre- and Post-Conferences Copyright 2008 by The Health Alliance of MidAmerica LLC.

Conducting Pre- and Post-Conferences

Copyright 2008 by The Health Alliance of MidAmerica LLC

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Objectives

Explain the purposes of pre-clinical and post-clinical conferences.

State the benefits of clinical conferences. Outline strategies to promote student

participation in clinical conferences.

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Objectives

Discuss ways to prepare for clinical conferences.

List methods to conduct successful clinical pre- and post-conferences.

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Think-Pair-Share

Think: your own clinical conference experiences

Pair: with the person next to you

Share: ideas generated with the group

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Planning for Clinical Conferences

Purpose Topic Process Strategies Method for Conference Evaluation

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Purposes of Conferences

Pre-conference• Validate student

assignment preparation

• Review daily expectations

• Help set priorities

• Link theory to clinical practice

Post-conference

• Debriefing

• Strengthen skills

• Vent feelings

• Learn by using student assignments as case studies

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Benefits of Clinical Conferences

Promote interactive learning, collaboration, and teamwork

Develop problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking skills

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Benefits of Clinical Conferences

Develop oral communication skills Link theory to practice Provide opportunity for self-reflection

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Benefits of Clinical Conferences

Sharing of student learning/skill mastery Develop nursing attitudes and values Assess own learning

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Different Approaches for Levels of Students

Beginning Students

Advanced Students

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Different Approaches for Levels of Students Beginning students

• Inner focused

• Specific directions

• Concrete material

• Black & white terms

• Highly critical of staff execution of nursing care

• Skill reinforcement

• Need to learn medical terminology

• Limited understanding of nursing process

Advanced Students

• Greater understand nursing process

• More use of medical terminology

• Externally focused

• Able to see things in shades of gray

• Active role in leading conferences

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Possible Activities for a Conference

Case study analysis with student assigned clients (Nursing Rounds)

Skill building with equipment Clinical pathways Strengthening documentation skills Learning how to operate a clinical agency’s

computer system

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Possible Activities for a Conference

Topic of the week Clarifying and assisting students with written

clinical assignments Debriefing of the day’s experience (post-

conference) Nursing process activities Discussion of role transition issues

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Possible Activities for a Conference

Analyzing staff performance in nursing care situations

Processing legal and ethical issues that arise Guest speaker with special expertise Sharing personal accomplishments Explaining the health care system & delivery of

health care

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Possible Activities for a Conference

Linking personal experiences with health care to services offered as students

Cyber clinical conference

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Faculty Role in Conferences

Plan discussion and learning activities Create questions and cases Present problem, issues and cases for

discussion

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Faculty Role in Conferences

Keep time Support shared information and ideas Be flexible

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Faculty Role in Conferences

Provide non-threatening feedback Create an environment conducive to discussion Help students identify relationships, patterns,

and themes Facilitate group process

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Faculty Role in Conferences

Managing side conversations• Likely to occur with groups exceeding 5

members• Invite involved persons to share conversation• Outline conference time frame and goals• Stop discussion and use silence until all

become attentive• Assign student seating if becomes a chronic

problem

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Faculty Role in Conferences

Handling Tardiness

• Start conference only when all members have arrived

• Hold to the allotted time frame for the conference

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Faculty Role in Conferences

Handling Dysfunctional Group Members

• Monopolizer

• Playboy/Playgirl

• Quiet One

• Know-It-All

• Complainer

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Student Role in Conferences

Arrive on time Prepare for discussion Work collaboratively with group Examine different point of views

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Student Role in Conferences

Modify own perspectives and opinions to attain consensus

Support shared information Ask questions Stay focused on conference deliberations Participate actively

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Tips for Effective Implementation

Assure a comfortable and private setting

Stay OUT of the student evaluation role

Start on time Maintain group focus End on time

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Tips for Effective Implementation

Create a safe climate for discussion

• Conduct conference in a private location

• Suggested seating arrangements

• Faculty taking notes

• Pledge of confidentiality

• Positive feedback

• Open-ended questions

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More Tips to Facilitate Student Participation Ask for volunteers to speak Target students with sensitivity Phrase open ended questions carefully Give students time to answer questions

(5-10 seconds)

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More Tips to Facilitate Student Participation

Use of Wheeler & Chin’s Feminist Process

• Check in

• Circling

• Person holding object speaks

• Check out

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Conference Evaluation

Develop a feedback form Have students complete a feedback form Faculty self-reflection Direct student conversations Note cards Include item on clinical faculty evaluation forms

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Summary

Not all conferences will be perfect. Things happen that disrupt the schedule. Be open to student cues. Successful conferences require planning. Always room for improvement.