As a clinical instructor my focus would be to have a great rapport with the students. We all want to have instructors that are knowledgeable and competent, but hopefully that comes with their years of experience working in a clinical setting. But having the rapport with students makes it a positive learning environment for the students. By rapport I am referring to being approachable, providing non-judgmental constructive criticism, and being available. If we as instructors give a student a low grade and not be available to explain what was wrong or be confrontational with the student when they’re questioning the situation, then this can cause a tense clinical atmosphere which can discourage students. We need to have a good rapport with the students so that they can come to us with the understanding we will explain what improvements are needed without discouraging.
In the article Students’ Perceptions of Effective Classroom and Clinical Teaching in Dental and Dental Hygiene Education the author’s quote was dead on: “Instructors can have a potentially greater influence on dental and dental hygiene students’ learning in clinic than in classroom settings.” The clinical instructors have the benefit of the one-on-one student interaction during evaluations. If the students have a bad rapport with an instructor, then it will make for a tense appointment and an overall frustrating clinical experience.
Students are not here for instructors to take out their anger and frustrations. They are in school for a higher education and need the support of instructors to get through. There are times when a firm hand is needed, but the student’s must know that the firm hand is there for their benefit and not their detriment. This is where the positive rapport between instructors and students is crucial so that students can willingly approach the instructor for constructive feedback no matter the circumstance.