Student experiences in a novel interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Allied Health Education
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Interprofessional Practice

Background:

• Student-led clinics offer accessible specialty care and interprofessional education (IPE).
• Limited Australian services exist for neurodevelopmental assessments considering fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
• Novelty of a student-led clinic for assessing children with suspected prenatal alcohol exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore allied health student experiences in a novel interprofessional student-led clinic.
• To understand the impact of this clinic placement on student development.
• To identify key factors influencing student learning in this unique setting.

Main Methods:

• Seventeen allied health students (occupational therapy, psychology) participated.
• Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted post-placement.
• Reflexive thematic analysis was employed for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Interprofessional practice was crucial for student professional development.
• Students formed meaningful relationships and felt they made a difference.
• Novel challenges enhanced student capabilities, supported by supervisors.
• Supervisor attitude and approach positively impacted student learning.

Conclusions:

• The interprofessional student-led neurodevelopmental clinic is a valuable IPE opportunity.
• It effectively supports the development of future healthcare professionals.
• This model addresses a gap in specialized neurodevelopmental services.