Table 3 Practice points for placement success
From: Student perspectives of extended clinical placements in optometry: a qualitative study
Expectations | - Universities/placement providers must provide thorough guidelines addressing key expectations specifically such as: roles, rights and responsibilities, key contacts, and key processes - Supervisors and students have a responsibility to adhere to these expectations and discuss their individual expectations with each party on a regular basis to monitor whether they are being met |
Professional development and pedagogical training | - Universities/placement providers must ensure supervisors are adequately prepared for clinical teaching especially in the art of providing feedback to students. Training in reflective practice and reflective supervision should be included in programs - Supervisors should engage in training and seek ongoing professional development opportunities. Supervisors have a responsibility to reflect and recognise areas for personal improvement and development |
Addressing power differentials | - All parties should acknowledge power imbalances, with particular attention to the fact that students are generally the vulnerable party - Universities/placement providers must provide clear guidelines for reporting incidents. They should provide a separate advocate for students and supervisors, and ensure the advocate periodically engages with each party to monitor whether any issues are present. They must actively encourage the reporting of concerns and follow through on policy guidelines - Supervisors should embrace their role of ‘expert clinician’ while providing a safe learning environment - Students must be empowered with skills, resources and support to identify and respond to inappropriate behaviour |
Funding | - Universities/placement providers should seek to provide a level of financial assistance for students to undertake placements, particularly with regard to decreasing the financial barriers associated with rural placements. Where possible they should provide resources and assistance associated with relocation for placement, such as accommodation options |