A/Prof. Vanette McLennan1, Dr Khoka Hamiduzzaman1, Alizee McGregor1, Sarah Miles1, Sarah Crook1, Lewis Grove1, Dr Jennie Hewitt2, Frances Barraclough1, Karn Nelson2, Dr Nerida Volker3, A/Prof Gillian Nisbet4, Prof Marianne Wallis5, Prof Victoria Flood1
1University Centre Rural Health (Northern Rivers), Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Lismore, Australia, 2Whiddon Residential Care, Glenfield, Australia, 3TAFE NSW, Broadway, Australia, 4School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, 5Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Bilinga, Australia
Biography:
Associate Professor Vanette McLennan, PhD, is the Academic Lead for Allied Health at the University Centre for Rural Health, which is part of the Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney. Vanette leads a team of clinical educators from multiple allied health disciplines and across diverse service settings in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. She is currently a lead investigator on the evaluation of allied health student placements in rural residential aged care homes, aiming to explore outcomes for students and residents and capacity building opportunities for aged care staff and clinical educators.
Abstract:
Purpose of the presentation:
To explore the impact of rural clinical placements on allied health students’ self-efficacy and aged care staff capacity in service delivery.
Nature of scope of the topic:
Evidence shows bidirectional benefits of allied health clinical placements in improving student learning and patient health outcomes. Little is understood on the contribution of rural clinical placements to allied health students’ self-efficacy and aged care workforce capacity.
The problem under investigation:
As part of a larger realist evaluation of rural clinical placements in Northern NSW aged care settings, data were collected using a mixed-methods design from students and staff pre-and post-placement. Student self-efficacy was measured using a modified 21-item Self-Efficacy in Clinical Performance Scale. Staff capacity was measured using a 10-item Likert scale (knowledge, service delivery, and satisfaction). Qualitative interviews were conducted post-placement. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests and reflexive thematic analysis were performed for survey and interview data, respectively.
The outcome of the conclusion reached:
25 students (from five allied health disciplines) and 60 staff were included in the analysis. Quantitative results showed statistically significant increases in three domains of student self-efficacy (clinical assessment, diagnosis-planning, and implementation) and in four items of staff capacity and satisfaction (reduced workload, addressing resident issues, student capacity, and continuity of placements). Qualitative themes highlighted students' work-readiness and confidence in interprofessional collaboration. Preliminary analysis of staff interviews showed their satisfaction with student placements. These findings underscore the value of clinical placements in developing competent allied health professionals and strengthening workforce capacity in rural aged care.