Allied Health Student‐Led Clinics: An Opportunity for Workforce Development
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The project evaluated multidisciplinary allied health student placements co-located within a rural general practice clinic. METHODS: Occupational therapy, social work and speech pathology placement students under discipline-specific supervision led an allied health clinic model servicing clients with diverse health needs. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey design recording interventions, student and stakeholder experiences and client satisfaction was applied. SETTING: General Practice clinics in MMM 4-6 regions in Queensland. PARTICIPANTS: Between February and July 2024, 10 students completed placements within the student-led clinic, working with clients. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE: Descriptive statistics were used to summarise clients' demographics, satisfaction and the services provided using SPSS version 29.0. Qualitative survey responses were analysed using Nvivo. RESULTS: Student-led allied health services co-located within a general practice clinic benefited rural communities by providing increased access to allied health services and a holistic approach to health care. Student-led allied health services alleviated the work burden for general practitioners (GPs) in a rural health care setting. CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary allied health student placements within a rural GP clinic benefited rural and remote communities through increased access to allied health services. Further research is needed to investigate interdisciplinary models of care and sustainable funding streams.
DOI: 10.1111/ajr.70034
Authors: Taegen Pascoe, Asmita Mudholkar, Stephanie Burke, Kehinde Obamiro, Ines Zuchowski
Institutions: James Cook University, University of the Sunshine Coast
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,570
OpenAlex ID: W4408884295