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CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Readiness to enter the workforce: perceptions of health professions students at a regional Australian university
BMC medical education, Vol.22(1), 89
2022
PMID: 35139831
Abstract
Background
Perceived readiness for practice can help mitigate the stress and uncertainty associated with transitioning from university into the workforce. This study aimed to identify factors influencing the readiness for clinical practice among final-year medical, dental, and pharmacy students at an Australian regional university.
Methods
The study utilised a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach with surveys administered for the quantitative phase and interviews/focus groups for the qualitative phase. Descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis were utilised for the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Triangulation of findings from both phases facilitated in-depth understanding of the factors that influenced participants’ self-perceived readiness for clinical practice.
Results
From the three disciplines, 132 students completed the survey and 14 participated in the focus groups and interviews. Students felt most prepared in their patient-centred capabilities, core skills, and advanced consultation skills, and least prepared in their system-related capabilities and clinical care skills. Themes identified as essential enablers and confidence builders in relation to workforce readiness in all three disciplines were: gained knowledge and skills, value of clinical placement experiences, support from peers, family and staff. However, students felt their work-readiness was impaired by heavy academic workloads and poor knowledge of health care systems, which affected skills development. Participants suggested additional support in health care system and clinical governance, mental healthcare, and induction to placement sites to further improve their work readiness.
Conclusions
The findings of this study suggest that improving work-readiness of healthcare students requires alignment of learning needs to real-world practice opportunities, ensuring support systems are appropriate, and early familiarisation with the healthcare system.
Details
- Title
- Readiness to enter the workforce: perceptions of health professions students at a regional Australian university
- Authors/Creators
- Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli - James Cook UniversityKarina JonesFaith Alele - James Cook UniversityMary Adu - James Cook UniversityAaron Drovandi - James Cook UniversityGillian Knott - James Cook UniversityLouise Young - James Cook UniversityClara Jo - James Cook University
- Publication Details
- BMC medical education, Vol.22(1), 89
- Publisher
- BioMed Central Ltd unless otherwise stated. Part of Springer Nature.
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- JCU, College of Medicine and Dentistry Research Support grant
This work was supported by the JCU, College of Medicine and Dentistry Research Support grant.
- Identifiers
- 991005757832607891
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2022.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.14 Nursing
- 1.14.363 Medical Training
- Web Of Science research areas
- Education & Educational Research
- Education, Scientific Disciplines
- ESI research areas
- Social Sciences, general