Learning style changes in chiropractic students moving from academic learning to clinical application

The transition period from basic science studies to full-time clinical studies, including the internship or preceptorship, is often a difficult time for students because of the differences and complexities between basic science knowledge and clinical circumstances. This is commonly seen with many students in a variety of health care programs including chiropractic. This article reviews concepts which may aid educators in determining the most effective ways to help students transition from didactic learner to student-clinician. The paper reviews several theoretical concepts focusing on the application of student learning preferences and the pedagogical implications for how to best address these preferences in clinical training.