“They already trusted us a lot”: Allied health students’ experiences of an innovative hospital, service-focussed placement model

Abstract

Background A service-focussed placement model involves an innovative partnership between service and education providers to a) address service delivery needs and b) facilitate students’ competency development. Services are collaboratively redesigned such that students are positioned as collaborators in service delivery with their learning supported through evidence-informed educational design. This model was implemented in the hospital setting and was found to promote positive patient outcomes. Our study explored whether this model supports student learning. Methods Students’ perception of learning was explored using a multiple-case study design with data collected from 22 semi-structured focus groups and interviews with 64 senior year allied health students (physiotherapy n = 55; occupational therapy n = 9) across six placement settings. Inductive thematic analysis identified aspects of this placement model that facilitated and challenged students’ learning. Results A service-focussed placement model provides a quality student learning experience. Students identified the need to be prepared for independent learning. This placement model promoted their professional development and sense of autonomy through engaging them in early, active learning within a safe learning environment. Conclusions Students perceived that a service-focussed placement model equipped them for the ever-changing complexities and challenges of hospital services.