A novel blended placement model improves dietitian students' work-readiness and wellbeing and has a positive impact on rural communities: a qualitative study

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
File version

Version of Record (VoR)

Author(s)
Greenlees, Narelle T
Pit, Sabrina W
Ross, Lynda J
McCormack, Jo J
Mitchell, Lana J
Williams, Lauren T
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2021
Size
File type(s)
Location
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Clinical placement models that require students to relocate frequently can cause stress, which may impact the student experience and development of work-readiness skills. A blended placement, where placements are undertaken concurrently at one location has potential to address these issues by providing a positive placement experience. Blended long-stay placements undertaken in rural communities increase consistent service provision and may help encourage students to work rurally, with potential to reduce workforce shortages. The aim of this study was to pilot test the feasibility of blended placement models and explore the student experience and skills development. A secondary aim was to explore a fully blended long-stay rural placement and the benefits to the rural community. METHODS: An exploratory qualitative design was used. Focus groups were conducted with dietitian student who participated in usual placements (n = 14) or blended placements (n = 9). Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with five student supervisors who participated in blended placements. Focus groups and interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed together using inductive thematic analyses. RESULTS: The overarching theme across all blended model placements was 'enhanced work-readiness', including increased flexibility, organisational skills and better preparedness for mixed roles. Enhanced work-readiness was influenced by three themes: stress and wellbeing impacts learning, working in two areas of practice concurrently allows for deeper learning, and blended placements meet supervisor needs. Fully blended long-stay rural placements revealed additional benefits. Firstly, in relation to the overarching theme 'enhanced work-readiness': students on these placements also developed extra skills in innovation, social accountability, interprofessional collaboration, conflict resolution and teamwork. Secondly, a new overarching theme emerged for fully blended long-stay rural placements: 'increased community connections' which included additional health services delivery, deeper personal experience and more rewarding student-supervisor relationships. Thirdly, two extra themes emerged that influenced work-readiness and community impact: 'local organisational support and resources' and 'enhanced innovative and interprofessional learning opportunities'. CONCLUSIONS: Blended placements enhance work-readiness skills by providing an alternative model to that commonly applied, and providing flexibility in education programs. Additionally, fully blended long-stay rural placements positively influence the local community through impacting the student experience as well as providing more dietetics services and may therefore assist in reducing dietetics workforce shortages and health inequity.

Journal Title

BMC Medical Education

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

21

Issue

1

Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement

© The Author(s). 2021 Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made.

Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Nutrition and dietetics

Clinical sciences

Curriculum and pedagogy

Specialist studies in education

clinical training

dietetics education

placement design

practicum

rural health

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Greenlees, NT; Pit, SW; Ross, LJ; McCormack, JJ; Mitchell, LJ; Williams, LT, A novel blended placement model improves dietitian students' work-readiness and wellbeing and has a positive impact on rural communities: a qualitative study, BMC Medical Education, 2021, 21 (1), pp. 387-

Collections