Ms Sarah Funnell1, Dr Jennifer Culph, Prof Elspeth Froude, Dr Kylie Wales
1Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Australia
Biography:
Sarah is a Senior Clinical Psychologist and Project Officer at Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network, NSW. Sarah has experience working across different areas of the public, private and University sector. She has a strong commitment to promoting positive and meaningful change in the lives of individuals and families affected by mental health issues. Additionally, Sarah is very passionate about improving service provision and change within organisations, as well as providing support, supervision and training to individuals.
Abstract:
Interprofessional education and practice are increasingly recognised as crucial for improving patient health outcomes. Student-led clinics are models of care where students assume responsibility for organising and delivering healthcare under the guidance of supervising staff. Interprofessional student-led allied health clinics (ISAH clinics) have been implemented in various settings, showing benefits for students, healthcare organisations, and patients. Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network (Justice Health NSW) have partnered with the Australian Catholic University (ACU) to investigate the potential implementation of an ISAH clinic within Justice Health NSW. A rapid review and comprehensive needs analysis were conducted. The rapid review examined articles published since 2017 on allied health interprofessional clinics, excluding those involving simulation or traditional one-on-one supervision models. Using a qualitative research design, 13 individuals were interviewed, and one focus group with 7 participants was held to explore perceptions and priorities for the proposed ISAH clinic. The rapid review indicated limited information on the effectiveness of different student-led clinic models. While significant insights into supervisor and student experiences were found, there was minimal information on client outcomes. Qualitative findings from the needs analysis revealed that stakeholders emphasized the importance of understanding “current service performance and delivery,” clarifying the “purpose of the ISAH clinic,” and ensuring “effective evaluation” in any clinic model. An ISAH clinic offers a unique opportunity for students to gain experience, develop knowledge, and enhance communication, leadership, and collaboration in a correctional setting. The implications of this project as an innovative approach to interprofessional learning will be discussed.