‘On-the-job’ learning in Communities of Practice for Health Professional Educators: a rapid review
Emma Edwards1,2, Maureen McEvoy3, Anna Phillips3, Kylie Johnston11Innovation, Implementation and Clinical Translation in Health (IIMPACT) Research Concentration, University of South AustraliaUniversity Of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia2Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Elizabeth Vale, South Australia, Australia3UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Abstract
Background: Allied health clinical educators (AHCEs) are vital to health professional student education in Australia. Clinical education is often expected in a job role but teaching and supervision training may not be provided. Communities of Practice (CoPs) could meet professional learning needs and provide a peer support network. Little is known about the use of CoPs in allied health clinical education.
Method: A rapid review was conducted to determine the structures, purposes and outcomes of AHCE CoPs, and barriers or enablers of participation in CoPs. Systematic electronic database (MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL, from 1/1/1998 to 31/3/22) and subsequent grey literature searching (Google and direct contact with content experts, 1/11/22 to 1/2/23) for reports of CoPs that targeted AHCEs was completed. Data were extracted to a piloted spreadsheet and synthesised descriptively.
Results: One peer-reviewed paper and four unpublished reports were included. CoPs aimed to provide a platform for knowledge and resources. Most were conducted virtually with occasional face-to-face meetings. All were single-discipline specific; three included rural and/or remote participants; size ranged from 6 to 500 participants; durations eight weeks to nine years. Enablers included having a facilitator, and online platform suitable for resource sharing. Barriers included large size and lack of management support for participating.
Discussion: Published research on CoPs in AHCE is scarce; communities are growing informally within local health networks, predominantly online. Few CoPs evaluated effectiveness of meeting AHCE professional learning needs. Further research is required to evaluate effectiveness of CoPs and identify enablers of recruitment and sustainability.
Biography
Emma Edwards is a physiotherapist leader with the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network. Her current work involves support and training of allied health professionals including those involved with clinical education of health professional students. Emma is a PhD candidate with the Innovation, Implementation and Clinical Translation in Health (IIMPACT) Research Concentration at the University of South Australia.