Supporting Allied Health Students during Rural Placements: Perspectives of Students and Clinical Educators
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| Title: | Supporting Allied Health Students during Rural Placements: Perspectives of Students and Clinical Educators |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Romany Martin, Sarah Wilesmith, Allison Mandrusiak, Andric Lu, Michael Donovan, Ruth Dunwoodie, Roma Forbes |
| Source: | International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning. 2025 26(2):203-217. |
| Availability: | New Zealand Association for Cooperative Education. University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand. Tel: +64-7-838-4892; e-mail: editor@ijwil.org; Web site: https://www.ijwil.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 15 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Allied Health Occupations Education, Rural Areas, Student Placement, Experiential Learning, Student Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes, Program Effectiveness, Teamwork, Foreign Countries, College Students, Adjustment (to Environment), Diversity, Expectation, Teacher Student Relationship |
| Geographic Terms: | Australia |
| Abstract: | Developing strategies for sustainable and successful allied health student placements in rural settings is imperative to fostering a robust and resilient health workforce. This study aimed to explore support needs for allied health students on rural placement in Australia, from the perspectives of students and clinical educators. A total of 13 students and 11 clinical educators completed semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis of data was undertaken. Participants were allied health students completing an Australian rural clinical placement, and clinical educators of allied health students in rural Australian locations. Disciplines were physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, and exercise physiology. Three main themes were generated, indicating that support provided may be: i) flexible and adaptive, ii) bespoke to rural practice, and iii) within a culture of teamwork. Rural allied health placements necessitate unique strategies to support student learning, facilitated through actions of both the clinical educator and the broader health care team. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1477007 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Developing strategies for sustainable and successful allied health student placements in rural settings is imperative to fostering a robust and resilient health workforce. This study aimed to explore support needs for allied health students on rural placement in Australia, from the perspectives of students and clinical educators. A total of 13 students and 11 clinical educators completed semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis of data was undertaken. Participants were allied health students completing an Australian rural clinical placement, and clinical educators of allied health students in rural Australian locations. Disciplines were physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, and exercise physiology. Three main themes were generated, indicating that support provided may be: i) flexible and adaptive, ii) bespoke to rural practice, and iii) within a culture of teamwork. Rural allied health placements necessitate unique strategies to support student learning, facilitated through actions of both the clinical educator and the broader health care team. |
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