Application of "VITALS": visual indicators of teaching and learning success in reporting student evaluations of clinical teachers.

CONTEXT

At the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain, a system has been introduced in which clerkship students evaluate clinical faculty using Visual Indicators of Teaching and Learning Success (VITALS).

OBJECTIVE

To describe the use of VITALS in reporting student feedback on teaching and learning effectiveness of clinical faculty in the clerkship.

DESIGN

Descriptive study.

SUBJECTS

A total of 210 clerkship students evaluated 76 clinical tutors over a period of 3 years. Feedback was also obtained from seven programme managers and one supportive staff member.

METHOD

Nine indicators of effective clinical teaching were identified through a literature search. Students individually reported on clinical faculty teaching capabilities using a 5-point, Likert-type scale. Cumulative reports of students' feedback on clinical faculty teaching were prepared using opposing bar graphs, reflecting perceived areas of strength or weakness in each teacher's performance.

RESULTS

A total of 1450 evaluation forms were completed by 180 of 210 students (85.7%). VITALS graph representations of students' perceptions of clinical tutors were communicated to each clinical tutor at the end of each clerkship and academic year. Twenty-one students out of 53 who gave written comments were related to VITALS. They reflected a positive view of VITALS as a process or tool of faculty evaluation. Clinical faculty (18), programme managers(7) and supporting staff (1) gave comments indicating acceptance of the system.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary study suggests that VITALS could be an effective tool for improving clinical teaching. It is acceptable to students, faculty and managers of educational programmes. The database reflecting their teaching and educational profiles were used to provide clinical faculty with constructive feedback.