Australian rural service learning student placements: a national survey.
BMC Med Educ
; 24(1): 216, 2024 Mar 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38429667
ABSTRACT
This preliminary national study is the first of its kind to investigate how service learning placements are implemented in real world settings in rural Australia and what factors enable or hinder their implementation. An anonymous survey was distributed to 17 University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH) in Australia. Numerical data were analysed descriptively. Textual data were analysed using a hybrid content analysis approach. Thirty seven respondents provided data representing 12 UDRHs. Responding UDRHs reported facilitating service learning programs, with experience in this context ranging from 3 months to 21 years. Service learning placements predominantly occurred in schools and aged care facilities. Occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech pathology were the most frequently involved professions in service learning. Enablers and barriers identified were categorised into People, Partnerships, and Place and Space. This national-scale study provides a springboard for more in-depth investigation and implementation research focused on development of a conceptual model to support service learning across rural and remote Australia.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Rural Health Services
Limits:
Aged
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
En
Journal:
BMC Med Educ
Journal subject:
EDUCACAO
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Australia