Rehabilitation Educators′ Perceptions of Clinical Education Challenges in Iran: Is COVID-19 Having Redundant Effects?

Clinical education is a core component of the curriculum of undergraduate rehabilitation students. Nevertheless, this field more than any other field of education has many shortcomings that should be addressed. The aim of this study was to explore the challenges of clinical education from the perspective of rehabilitation educators with particular focus on the new challenges created bythe COVID-19 outbreak. This qualitative study was conducted through purposeful sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 rehabilitation clinical educators of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Data analysis was accomplished according to conventional content analysis. To prove the trustworthiness of the data, credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability were assessed. Through data analysis, 240 initial codes were extracted in three main categories and nine sub-categories, indicating redundant challenges imposed by COVID-19 comprising restricted clinical resources (inadequate patient number and diversity, inadequate equipment, limited clinical space, inadequate manpower), an inefficient clinical education system (poor management of clinical education programs, insufficient clinical evaluation), and personal and professional characteristics of the students (lack of students’ practical knowledge, lack of motivation, fear). The results of this study provide deeper insight into the perceptions and experiences of rehabilitation educators regarding clinical education challenges. At present, an accidental and unexpected problematic event (COVID-19 pandemic) has inflicted detrimental effects on various aspects of clinical rehabilitation sciences. It is necessary to implement changes in future plans which include adaptations for COVID-19.