The successful fieldwork student: supervisor perceptions.

Qualitative research methodology was used to explore supervisor perceptions of learning style characteristics required for student success in fieldwork. A focus discussion group was used to elicit success themes identified by clinicians. These themes were compared to learning style themes previously identified in quantitative studies. Techniques of conversation analysis were used to assess congruence of verbalized themes with participant interactions during the discussion group. Themes that emerged were the importance of teamwork, active experimentation, flexibility, adaptability, and doing. Discussion participants actively modeled teamwork.