Students' perceptions of a UK physiotherapy student-led clinic.

Wynne, Donna; Cooper, Kay

Abstract

Student-led clinics (SLCs) are a mode of delivery whereby students take responsibility for the delivery of a health service or intervention. SLCs for physiotherapy have a wide range of uses, including enhancement of learning, replacement of clinical placement hours, and serving population and community needs. Evidence is emerging globally as to the outcomes of SLCs in physiotherapy, but little exists in the United Kingdom (UK) context. The purpose of this study was to explore student perceptions of running, leading and participating in a UK physiotherapy student-led neurological rehabilitation clinic. The research method was a qualitative design using a focus group. Four themes were identified relating to students' perceptions of SLCs: the learning environment, self-development, enhanced clinical skill development and reflections on experience. The findings of this study suggest that physiotherapy SLCs in a UK context can contribute positively to student experience and skill development, particularly in relation to the learning environment, development of clinical skills, leadership and autonomy. Some aspects related to, for example, student induction and preparation could be further developed. Further research should explore if these findings are applicable in other countries where SLCs are less established. Further research in the UK and globally related to SLC models in different courses and across varying stages is required. Exploration of the SLC as a viable form of clinical placement experience is also warranted.

Citation

WYNNE, D. and COOPER, K. 2023. Students' perceptions of a UK physiotherapy student-led clinic. Clinical teacher [online], 20(6), e13603. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13603

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 5, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jul 10, 2023
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jul 11, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 11, 2023
• Journal: Clinical teacher
• Print ISSN: 1743-4971
• Electronic ISSN: 1743-498X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 6
• Article Number: e13603
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13603
• Keywords: Physiotherapy students; Student-led clinics; Student health care practitioners; Student-led care; Physiotherapy; United Kingdom
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2001720