Evaluating Clinical Placement Performance in Allied Health Student-Led Healthcare Services: A Modified Delphi Study

University-affiliated student-led healthcare services have emerged to address challenges in securing quality clinical placements. As the benefits and challenges of student-led healthcare services emerge in recent literature, it is important to identify key measurement areas that will help stakeholders evaluate placements, allowing for standardisation, comparability, and quality improvement. This study aims to achieve consensus among key stakeholders on important areas of measurement for evaluating clinical placement performance in student-led healthcare services. A three-round modified Delphi study was conducted with 18 experts using purposive sampling to ensure diverse firsthand experience in clinical placements. Each round yielded quantitative (e.g. percentage of agreement) and qualitative (e.g. free text responses) data. Quantitative data were analysed to determine consensus with ≥70% agreement, and qualitative responses thematically analysed. Round one identified 47 areas of measurement for evaluating clinical placement. In rounds two and three, consensus was established on 44 areas of measurement related to four overarching themes: Learning Outcomes, Experience of Placement, Cost of Placement, and Research in Clinical Placement. The findings provide a solid foundation for evaluating clinical placements across various models, including student-led healthcare services, and offer valuable insights to guide future research into evaluating clinical placements.

Australian Journal of Clinical Education

Australian Journal of Clinical Education

14

2207-4791

N/A

1

27