Grace, S., & O'Neil, R. (2014). Better prepared, better placement: An online resource for health students. Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education, 15(4), 291-304.
Despite calls for better preparation of students and supervisors for clinical placement, few dedicated pre-placement resources have been developed. The aim of this project was to design, pilot, and evaluate an online resource to prepare health students and supervisors for clinical placements. Development of an online resource was informed by the literature and results from a preliminary scoping study. The resource was piloted with students in five health disciplines. Preparation for placement was facilitated by learning plans, negotiated between students, supervisors and clinical placement coordinators; an innovative suite of clinical scenarios designed to prepare students for ethical and emotional challenges that could arise on placement; and a suite of professional development resources for supervisors. Study participants confirmed the educational value of the Better Prepared Better Placement resource as a tool for preparing health students and supervisors for clinical placement. Strategies to encourage full engagement with the resource can facilitate emotional and social learning.