Mrs Claire Wirth1, Mrs Zoe Maidment1, Dr Louisa Matwiejczyk2, Ms Sarah Pratt1, Mrs Jalina Pivetta1
1SA Health, Elizabeth, Australia, 2Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia
Biography:
Claire, a trained dietitian, now works in the Northern Area Local Health Network’s Intermediate Care Service, supporting clients with chronic conditions. Passionate about self-management and healthcare improvement, she developed an innovative clinical placement model for allied health students. This initiative fosters interprofessional learning while helping students understand the lived experiences of those with chronic conditions, ultimately enhancing patient care and quality of life and helping to produce work ready graduates.
Abstract:
With high demand for clinical placements and a push towards interprofessional practice, educational institutions are exploring innovative placement models to provide students with interprofessional learning clinical placements. CONNECT is a partnered Flinders University and Northern Adelaide Local Health Network student clinic creating interprofessional learning opportunities.
The model allows physiotherapy, dietetics, occupational therapy, exercise physiology and social work students to work alongside clients with chronic conditions. The clinic assesses the client’s self-management skills and the impact of social determinants on their health. Based on self-identified areas of concern, clients are ‘CONNECTed’ with relevant services. The placement fosters formal and informal interprofessional learning through collaborative and multiple mentoring approaches.
Quantitative analysis of the pilot program showed significant improvements in students’ interprofessional practice (IPP) beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours (p=0.002 and p<0.001). Thematic analysis of interviews identified two key factors: relational teaching and deep IPP learning, both enhance students' professional skills and understanding of holistic care. 58 students have participated in the placement between 2023-2024 with student feedback via Questionnaires (OT SPEF-R) and semi-structured interviews highlighting the placements’ ability to achieve its learning goals. Logistical challenges were overcome by utilising one key contact at the University and providing high levels of flexibility to manage student numbers, skills, referral methods and feedback formats.
CONNECT provides a feasible model for interprofessional practice, supporting students to graduate ready to work within an integrated healthcare system. An ongoing focus is aligning the push for graduates ready to work inter-professionally with explicit, consistent course competencies across disciplines.