Service learning to build a rural workforce: A national perspective
Monica Moran1, Sarah Miles21WA Centre For Rural Health and School of Allied Health, The University of WA, Jambinu Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia2University Centre for Rural Health, University of Sydney, Bundjalung Country Lismore, NSW, Australia
Abstract
Service learning to build a rural workforce: A national perspective
Background
University Departments of Rural Health (UDRHs) support allied health (AH) students to complete clinical and professional placements throughout rural Australia. Approximately 6000 AH students attend placements supported by UDRHs annually.
Service learning (SL) models of placement are growing internationally. This is reflective of their role in proving high quality learning opportunities for students, while meeting a service gap in rural communities. This research investigated how SL models are implemented in real world settings, factors enabling or hindering their implementation, and their role in preparing the future (AH) rural workforce.
Aim
Investigate how service-learning models are used across rural Australia and identify factors that enable or hinder their utilisation to support the development of rural health workforce.
Methods
An anonymous, online survey collecting numerical and textual data was distributed to all 17 UDRHs. Numerical data were analysed descriptively. Textual data were analysed using a hybrid content analysis.
Results
Thirty-seven respondents contributed to 14 survey responses representing 13 UDRHs. Most SL placements occurred in schools and aged care homes. Occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech pathology were the most frequently involved professions. Enablers and barriers were categorised into: People, Partnerships, Place and Space, and Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Discussion
This is the first known national study to investigate how SL models are being implemented across rural Australia. Discussion will focus on implications of results in context of rural workforce preparation and planning.
Biography
Monica is associate professor of rural health at the WA Centre for Rural Health and a registered occupational therapist. She supports health workforce development through the creation of student learning experiences, the development of support strategies for rural health teams, and research and evaluation of integrated team programs.
Sarah is an occupational therapist of 17 years with local and international experience. She has worked at the University Centre for Rural Health (Lismore) for 6 years as Team Leader- Clinical Education (Multidisciplinary Health). Sarah is completing a PhD exploring how work readiness is understood and designed for in final practice placements.