Mrs Kristen Foley1, Stacie Attrill1, Gillian Nisbet2, Merrolee Penman3, Claire Palermo4, Ali Dymmott1, Caitlan McLean1
1University of Adelaide, Australia, 2University of Sydney, Australia, 3Curtin University, Australia, 4Monash University, Australia, 5Flinders University, Australia
Abstract:
Background:
The availability of allied health student placements is a known barrier to growing the Australian allied health workforce. We aimed to investigate ‘what works’ to increase allied health placement capacity: across geographical locations, sectors and funding sources, and for diverse recipient communities.
Method:
With oversight from an expert advisory group, a realist approach was used to synthesise findings from a focussed literature review (n=36 articles); accreditation standards analysis (n=96 documents); and policy review (n=62 documents), to develop initial theories about placement capacity development. Further analysis developed and iterated the theories, which were then tested via a survey of university and community respondents (n=171).
Results:
Five initial program theories were identified and refined: partnership, learning culture, investment, support and mutual understanding. Our analysis showed these need to be positioned as an adaptive system to accommodate the complex nature of designing, implementing and sustaining quality placement growth to meet allied health workforce needs. Evidential synthesis yielded eight recommendations to increase quality allied health student placement capacity to address current and future workforce concerns.
Discussion:
Solving the problem of allied health placement capacity requires a strategic multi-faceted approach. Our evidence-based recommendations direct action on the facilitators and enablers of quality allied health placement growth to meet current and future allied health practice, workforces, and community needs.