Student outcomes for interprofessional education in student led clinics: A rapid review

ABSTRACT

Student-led clinics provide a unique opportunity for interprofessional education as part of the education of future allied health professionals. A rapid review was conducted to determine the benefits to allied health students participating in interprofessional education in student-led clinics. Studies were included if they took place within a student-led clinic, reported on outcomes for students and where the clinic involved interprofessional education for students from either two or more allied health professions, or one allied health and one nursing student. Results were analyzed using a descriptive qualitative approach. Five themes were identified: (a) understanding of own role and scope of practice; (b) understanding of the role and scope of practice of other professions; (c) individual benefits to the students; (d) impact on patient-centered care; and (c) understanding of how to work in an interprofessional team. These benefits indicate that student-led clinics are a suitable setting for the delivery of interprofessional education to allied health students. More research is needed that considers the long-term impact on these student outcomes following students’ entry into the healthcare profession, as well as on the impact of specific components of the interprofessional education models on student outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional education
• allied health occupations
• student-run clinics
• rapid review

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge Julie Priestley and Melanie Moore whose advice was a valued contribution to this review.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was provided for this review.

Notes on contributors

Sian Hopkins

Sian Hopkins, BNutr, is a Research Assistant at the University of Canberra.

Rachel Bacon

Rachel Bacon, AdvAPD, PhD is an Associate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Canberra (UC) and Chair of the Interprofessional Research Group – a collaboration of UC, the Australian National University Medical School and Canberra Health Services.

Allyson Flynn

Allyson Flynn, BPT(Hons) is a Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the University of Canberra and a PhD Candidate at the University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health.