The purpose of this scoping review was to describe what is known on clinical placement models used in undergraduate health professions education. The majority of the included articles were from Australia and a significant number were drawn from other high-income countries, namely the United Kingdom and the United States. According to Plancikova et al. (2020) [62], these high-income countries generally have more funding for research and resources to conduct research when compared to low-income countries predominantly in Africa and Asia. As only studies in English were included, studies from non-English-speaking contexts related to clinical placement models in undergraduate health professions education were not considered. Hence, this review was skewed towards high-income English-speaking countries.
Evidence generated from undergraduate nursing dominated the number of articles included in this review, even though Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Midwifery were also found. The literature explains that the distribution patterns of health professionals are skewed towards nursing and medicine, with nursing being the single largest group of health professionals in healthcare [4]. Health professions classified as allied health are usually in limited numbers in most health settings as there are limited health professions education institutions offering such programmes. Programme directors and administrators in Nursing and Medicine often battle with student clinical placements [61]. The large number of students enrolled in undergraduate nursing and medicine against the dwindling clinical placement opportunities drives programme directors to be creative in guaranteeing that their students attain professional competencies [7]. This creativity in student clinical placement may justify the increased volume of literature from Nursing and Medicine.
Specific professions seem to favour one clinical placement model over the other. For example, Medicine and Nursing seemed to report on clinical placement models that accommodate a large number of students, such as block placement models and longitudinal integrated clerkships [34] while professions with a smaller number of students, such as occupational therapy, dominated reports on collaborative models that allow for more intimate supervision [22]. These decisions seem to be influenced by the purpose of the placement, the number of students, the placement capacity and availability of supervisors.
This review highlighted that the majority of research in the field of clinical placement models focuses on evaluating outcomes associated with the implementation of clinical placement models. The studies report on the influence of clinical placement models on the experiences of students and educators, and specific measurable outcomes, such as knowledge scores. Only two of the included articles had longitudinal outcomes inclusive of community impact. According to the Kirkpatrick evaluation model, the majority of studies (n=45) included in this review were aligned with the bottom two levels, namely level 1: reaction, and level 2: learning [63]. This signifies a gap in research for studies that evaluate the outcome of such clinical placement models on students, the clinical setting and the community. Longitudinal studies that evaluate the impact or higher levels of the Kirkpatrick evaluation model are therefore needed.
The outcomes of the studies included in this review were grouped into seven main categories, namely relationships, influence, the environment, facilitation, inputs, knowledge scores, and student perceptions. Firstly, relationships were reported as outcomes of specific models, such as belonging to a team [55], peer support among students [26], and helpful or positive relationships [40]. Nordquist et al., (2019) [64] explain the importance of positive relationships where students learn from and with their peers and facilitators. Students are reported as being able to learn when they are supported through positive relationships by their facilitators, their peers, and when they have a sense of belonging [59]. The establishment, development and nurturing of positive relationships among students, peers and their supervisors is an essential component of any clinical placement model.
The second outcome reported by some of the studies included in this review, was the influence of the clinical placement models on students and the communities within which they worked. The influence of the clinical placement models referred to specific benefits to the community [57], promotion of professional image [56], and even influence on the career paths of students [51]. Evidence from service-learning interventions has shown short- and long-term health influence on communities by student-led health intervention [65]. Student-driven learning, which aligns with key tenets of social constructivism, cements students’ understanding of the clinical environment and such understanding has been reported to influence career trajectories and promote the image of their profession [10]. However, students within the clinical setting should be supported sufficiently to promote an appropriate professional image while at the same time understanding their own professional remits.
The third outcome was the environment, which was reported as a complex multi-faceted structure that could enable or disable student competence development [64]. The physical environment, the patient–condition diversity, the number of students and facilitators, including the availability of resources are aspects of the clinical learning environment [66]. Fundamentally, any clinical placement model in undergraduate health professions education should cultivate a learning environment that enables students to meet their learning outcomes and develop competence. From this review, some of the included articles reflected the environment as part of the outcomes. The studies reported the implementation of specific clinical placement models to increase placement capacity [49], while others reflected on models that showed some consistency and continued patient care [53]. Greenhill, et al. (2018) [35] report that their clinical placement model allowed students an opportunity to access diverse patient conditions.
Fourthly, the outcome of facilitating competence development in the clinical learning environment requires a clinical placement model that allows students to transfer learning in the clinical environment under the supervision of expert clinical educators and for opportunities of continuing feedback [23]. According to Clark (2018) [67] learning may be perceived as students integrating new concepts from their already existing knowledge schemas. The student’s prior knowledge needs to be explored, before he or she can assimilate and accommodate new knowledge [68]. According to this review, some clinical placement models provide an opportunity for students to transfer learning from the classroom to the clinical environment [59], while other models are flexible enough to enhance the facilitation of learning within the clinical environment. Daly et al. (2013) [53] report enhanced opportunities for student feedback as an outcome of the implementation of their clinical placement model. However, it appears as if models that had a lower supervisor and student ratio report on outcomes related to feedback opportunities, while larger numbers of students limit the opportunities for individualised feedback. Individualised feedback cements the assimilation and construction of new knowledge, especially in a complex clinical environment. However, individualised feedback opportunities may not always be possible in many health settings, especially in low- and middle-income countries that face shortages of the health workforce and educators against increased student numbers [69].
The introduction of innovation in the clinical environment, for example through new clinical placement models, requires specific inputs, which are the fifth outcome. In this review, some of the articles expressed a need for orientation to the clinical placement models for both the students and the clinical staff [59]. Orientation to a clinical placement model is essential for students to meet their expected clinical outcomes and for facilitators who are expected to support learning [70]. Some clinical placement models also require extraordinary resources. In their description of the dedicated education units (DEU), Springer et al. (2012) [71] state that they aimed at creating an ‘ideal’ clinical environment to facilitate authentic learning. However, procuring additional resources to create an ideal clinical environment may be a challenge, as additional resources may be impractical in some settings.
The implementation of some of the clinical placement models was evaluated through the examination of the sixth outcome of student knowledge scores after placement. On the one hand, some articles reported an increase in student knowledge scores attributed to the clinical placement model [54] while on the other hand, Poncelet et al. (2014 )[52] reported no significant changes in student knowledge scores. Knowledge is part of competence when integrated with appropriate skills and attitudes within an authentic clinical environment [72]. Experience in the clinical environment brings to life the theoretical knowledge obtained from the classroom setting, and when valid assessments are applied, learning comes meaningful [73]. The aim of clinical placement models should go beyond the improvement of knowledge scores towards competence attainment. A clinical placement model that contributes to competence development and attainment could contribute to a competent health workforce that influences health outcomes.
Student perception is the seventh outcome reported in the articles included in this review. Le, et al. (2014) [74] note that students are at the centre of their learning, and their perceptions and learning experiences influence the development of their self-efficacy. In the studies reviewed, some student perceptions related to having learnt from being included in specific clinical placement models [61], while other students were satisfied with their learning associated with positive experiences [56]. Nash et al. (2009) [24] report improved student self-efficacy associated with a clinical placement model. Liu (2019) [75] explains these finding through stating that students’ perception of the clinical learning environment influences their learning and acceptance of important teaching and learning strategies, such as feedback. Grant (2013) [76] adds that for feedback to be meaningful and to result in learning students need to have positive perceptions of their mentors and that of learning. A negative perception and experience may increase students’ cognitive load, which may become a barrier to learning [77]. Any clinical placement model used in undergraduate health professional education should foster positive perceptions and experiences, as these supports the development of self-efficacy and competence.
Studies included in this review also reported specific recommendations that should be applied in relation to each clinical placement model. In essence, the studies recommend further research on student characteristics and how such characteristics may be aligned with specific clinical placement models for optimal learning. Further research is proposed on the application of specific models in different contexts and different professions, to establish the influence of clinical placement models on learning. The included studies also recommend the investigation of organisational culture, its link to clinical placement models, and eventually learning. Practical recommendations include –
- planning for the clinical placement, such as preparation of the environment;
- guidelines for model implementation;
- sequencing of placement; and
- learning opportunities as a priority recommendation.
Specific articles emphasised the need and role for communication and coordination between the institutions, the students and the facilitators.
In establishing the rigour of this review, the authors aligned the review process and decisions on reporting with contemporary frameworks of reporting a scoping review. In addition, throughout the review process, the authors – who are qualified and who possess relevant experience and expertise – worked and made decisions independently but where there were discrepancies, these were resolved through discussion. A university database, accessed with the support of a university librarian generated the data for this review. The possible limitations of this review arose from the search string and inclusion criteria, which may have eliminated some studies. Such studies in non-English languages might have been beneficial and influential in terms of the outcomes of this review.