The Monday morning after...

 

.... 5 weeks of diverse, interesting, challenging, and fast-paced {for this turtle} learning experiences provided by:

• two enthusiastic dietetic interns
• many engaging, inspiring, expert speakers at three different continuing education events
• at least a dozen new-to-me online resources found intentionally and serendipitously

The R & R in my calendar is not for "rest and relaxation." No, it's for "re-read/re-write and reflect." So where do I begin to organize, process and share? I feel a bit like an empty mixing bowl into which ingredients have been dumped -- for more than one large-quantity recipe. I'd like to remove everything from the bowl, sift, measure and recombine. And let some things ferment for a while.

In the meantime, here's one item that's ready to share without any further processing:

Strategies to Help Preceptors Facilitate Learning

• Reduce anxiety before introducing new information, skills.
• Start in the middle if it feels right.
• Focus on what is relevant and leave the rest out.
• Before giving negative feedback, ask yourself, "What is the great lesson?" We learn more from forgiveness than from punishment.
• Let the learner experience learning with as many senses as possible.
• Ask the learner to repeat your explanation in his own words. This tells you what they have learned and how well you delivered the information.
• Sometimes "no" must be used. It is as much a caring word as "yes!"
• Create an environment where "There are no stupid questions."
• Take a break when you are frustrated. No one is a teacher 24 hr/day.
• Laugh together and enjoy the experience.
• Don't be afraid to say "I don't know." Don't try to fake it.
• Repetition helps consolidate learning.
• Use questioning in a non-threatening way.
• Role-playing is fun and an easy way to deal with sensitive issues.
• Turn the question back to the learners if you think they should know.
• HAVE FUN!
• Use as much positive reinforcement, as often as you can.
• Be enthusiastic.
• Recognize the learner's need to share
• Maintain an environment of respect and acceptance.

Source: Vancouver Coastal Health, Preceptorship Workshop Handout

I was both nodding and shaking my head while typing this list. Oh yes, these are so important and true, and oh no, I could and should have used some of these strategies sooner and more often.

What about your own teaching/learning experiences? Feel free to share your "Pearls of Preceptorship" in the comments.

Preceptoring & Mentoring

Example isn't another way to teach. It is the only way to teach.

- A. Einstein

This past week and next week, I have a dietetic intern in her Clinical 1 placement with me. This requires me to switch roles frequently throughout the day, examine questions, ideas and issues from different perspectives, and use different skills and knowledge as dietitian, allied health care team member, preceptor, mentor, learner myself, and most important, according to Einstein, exemplar.  So I thought this would be an excellent time to review the internship, preceptoring and mentoring resources I've accumulated in my files over the years, check out online resources, and then compare, pare down to the best, and share the results with you.

Here are several key resources I've looked at this week:

Dietitians of Canada (DC) has an extensive, up-to-date collection of mentoring and preceptoring resources on its members-only pages and PEN site.

Mentoring  (access requires DC membership)
Knowledge Pathway on Preceptoring & Mentoring (access requires PEN subscription)

The University of British Columbia (UBC) College of Health Disciplines has resources for preceptors and mentors.  I've looked at several of the web pages and they summarize much of the material covered in preceptorship workshops I've attended in past years.

Whatever your role in the learning process, I hope you find some useful information on these pages.

Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.

- Anonymous Chinese Proverb