Algorithms for estimating learning opportunity and productivity impact at clerkship sites

The purpose of this study was to develop a method for estimating and comparing the consequences of clerkship placements (i.e., learning opportunity) to estimates of clerkship training costs (i.e., impact on site productivity). Three administrators, 14 preceptors, 17 students participating in community, institutional, ambulatory care, drug information, and adult acute care clerkships affiliated with The University of Arizona provided the information used to develop and test two algorithms. Student activity was the unit of analysis used in both algorithms. The learning opportunity algorithm rank-ordered student activities based on the level of involvement, completeness of experience, completeness of experiential learning cycle, and performance feedback. The site impact algorithm rank-ordered activities based on the level of supervision, number of supervisors, training time to participation time ratio, and necessity. Use of the two algorithms can generate information about learning opportunity and impact for negotiating and evaluating clerkship placements.