Audiology practicum during COVID-19 (Brand et al., 2022)

<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of audiology students and preceptors regarding changes in the practicum as a result of COVID-19.</p> <p><strong>Method: </strong>This study was conducted during two different periods, with Internet questionnaires posted on social media forums. Preceptors and newly graduated clinicians were recruited in 2019 for a study prior to COVID-19, and students and preceptors were recruited for comparison during COVID-19. Four groups participated in this study: (a) 101 students who were enrolled in the second, third, or fourth year of an Israeli communication disorders Bachelor of Arts (BA) program during the pandemic; (b) 94 newly graduated audiologists with a BA degree from an Israeli communication disorders program granted in the last 3 years (before COVID-19); (c) 18 audiologist preceptors who supervised audiology practicum in an Israeli communication disorders BA programs (before COVID-19); and (d) 20 audiologist preceptors who, during COVID-19, were supervising an audiology practicum in Israel. Perceptions of the various groups were compared.</p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>Although perceptions of preceptors and students regarding the practicum were revealed to be similar, perceptions of the practicum before COVID-19 underwent changes in the course of the pandemic. In evaluating the COVID-19 experience, both preceptors and students agreed that more hours of practicum were needed, as well as more variety in types of cases and exposure to varied placements.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Academic programs and employers should consider implications of changes implemented in the practicum due to COVID-19, which can be addressed either in continuing education and/or by additional supervision in the future workplace.</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Supplemental Material S1.</strong> Questionnaire for students regarding audiology practicum.</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Supplemental Material S2. </strong>Questionnaire for preceptors in audiology practicum (Google form).</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Supplemental Material S3. </strong>Questionnaire for newly graduated audiologists regarding audiology practicum (Google form). </p> <p><br></p> <p>Brand, D., Zachai, N., & Adelman, C. (2022). Perceptions of preceptors and audiology students on practicum during the COVID-19 pandemic. American Journal of Audiology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_AJA-21-00145</p>