Mind the gaps – Health Professions students’ views of support systems

Abstract

This paper reports on students’ views of support services identified through the findings of a study of health professions student attrition in the North West of England. Health professions programmes attract a diverse student population and their educational experience is dissimilar to the general student population in a number of ways, as they study for professional qualifications and undertake more work-based learning. Student support systems need to be mindful of these differences and ensure that services are accessible for all. A total of 1,080 students completed an online survey, one section of which investigated student awareness of support services and encouraged them to comment on how they believed services could be improved. Students identified a range of services although of potential concern, 72 students (8%) reported that there were no services available to them. Although some students were positive about provision, several problems were described and included: difficulties accessing services, lack of services at satellite campuses and placement sites and difficulties contacting personal tutors. 736 students (68%) also left comments in response to a follow up question ‘How do you think student support could be improved?’ A thematic analysis identified five themes: increased support on placement, improved communication with academic staff, flexible provision on campus, greater financial support and raising awareness of services.