Enhancing Supervision Skills for Rural Placements through Video-conferencing in Western Australia

Abstract

This paper examines the use of video-conferencing technology as a medium to deliver preceptor/supervisor training in a multidisciplinary context in rural Western Australia. A video-conference involvIng three rural sites and a transmission site in Perth was conducted. The one-day training program covered the generic issues involved with student supervision. Based on feedback from participants, results illustrate a wide acceptance of the generic supervision content and a moderate acceptance of the video-conferencing technology as a delivery medium. Although further refinement of the manner in which video-conferences are delivered is required, this study supports the utility of video-conferencing as a means to deliver supervision training in a multidisciplinary manner in rural areas.