Bridging the Gap between Entry-Level Education and the Demands of Clinical Practice

What is the Kislov’s distinction all about and explain

“Know That” (theory) vs. “Know How” (procedures). (Students may understand theory but lack real-world application experience)

What are the soft skills that are Considered more important than knowledge alone for student preparedness?

interpersonal communication, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and professionalism.

While academia emphasizes occupation-based approaches, many clinical setting favor ______? and explain why

preparatory methods. (This mismatch can challenge new grads in reconciling ideal practices with clinical realities)

Grads expect _______ , and employers expect________.

gradual onboarding, immediate competence

Modern workplace is

unpredictable and complex.

Academic programs struggle to

fully prepare students for future unknowns. 

What are the STRATEGIES TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND PRACTICE

purposeful ambiguity

mentorship and supervision

experiential learning

collaboration

reflective practice

lifelong learning

evidence-based practice

• Exposing students to scenarios with no clear answers to foster critical thinking and creativity.

• Helps develop decision-making and problem-solving skills in uncertain environments.

Purposeful Ambiguity

• Structured mentoring supports the development of professional identity and confidence.

• Encourages goal setting, reflection, and adaptation in real practice contexts.

 Mentorship and Supervision

• Active learning via simulations and service-based activities reinforces both technical and soft skills.

• Promotes better knowledge retention and clinical reasoning.

Experiential Learning

• Involves partnerships between academic institutions and practice settings.

• Practitioners can contribute as guest lecturers, lab instructors, or advisory board members to make learning clinically relevant.

Collaboration

• Encourages thoughtful self-assessment and critical reflection on clinical experiences.

• Can be fostered through journaling, peer discussions, and tools like the NSPOT self-assessment.

 Reflective Practice

• Professional growth continues beyond formal education.

• Communities of practice (CoPs) support continuous peer-to-peer learning and skill development.

Lifelong Learning

• integrating research with clinical expertise and clinical needs bridges academia and practice.

• teaching students how to apply and synthesize research promotes clinical effectiveness.

Evidence-Based Practice