Healthcare practice placements: back to the drawing board?. Issue 3 (2nd March 2019) - Millington, Paul
Abstract : Background: Sourcing healthcare practice placements continues to present itself as a challenge for higher education institutions. Equally, the provision of clinical placements by healthcare providers is not at the forefront of their agenda. In view of this, historic and traditional models of clinical placements is becoming more difficult to provide. As a result, new models of clinical placements are being explored. Aims: This literature review explores the differing models of clinical placements in use and examines the merits and limitation of each. Methods: A mixed-methods literature review with a pragmatic approach was used. Findings: Several placement models were described, including the traditional 1:1 model as well as the 2:1 and the 3:1. The hub and spoke, capacity development facilitator, collaborative learning in practice and role emerging placement models were also discussed. Conclusion: There is a considerable paucity of high-quality evidence evaluating differing placement modules. Further research is required to evaluate the differing placement models from a student's, clinical educator's and service user's perspective.