Attributes of an effective clinical teacher: a survey on students' and teachers' perceptions.

OBJECTIVE To identify the attributes of effective clinical teacher, using a self-filled survey questionnaire, that students and faculty value most, and to compare the opinion of student and faculty regarding the same. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi from October 2006 to January 2007. SUBJECT AND METHODS Clinical faculty at AKUH and students in clinical years were included in this survey after taking their written informed consent. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to all participants. Responses were compared. RESULTS A total of 119 students in clinical years (3, 4 and 5) and 89 faculties involved in clinical teaching responded to the questionnaire. The most important attributes in faculty's and students' perspective were knowledge, interest in teaching and clinical competency. In students and faculty perspective, the fourth and fifth attributes were good communication skills and being non-judgmental. CONCLUSION Students in clinical years and clinical teachers valued knowledge, interest in teaching and clinical competency as the most important attributes for an effective clinical teacher. There were various areas of agreement and disagreement between faculty and students about attributes of effective clinical teacher.