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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Resident and Family Carer Perspectives on the Impact of Allied Health Student Placements on Service Delivery to Residents in Northern NSW Aged Care Homes: A Qualitative Study
The Australian journal of rural health, Vol.34(2), pp.1-9
04/2026
PMID: 41797230
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Objective: To explore the perceptions of rural residential aged care home (RACH) residents and family carers about the integration of allied health students in service delivery, and its impact on residents' health and wellbeing.
Setting: Two rural RACHs in Northern NSW, where allied health students (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Nutrition and Dietetics and Social Work) attended rural clinical placements and were integrated in service delivery for residents.
Participants: Twelve residents who received student-integrated services from the RACHs and five family carers.
Design: This was a qualitative evaluation. Residents and family carers were approached to participate in a semi-structured interview. Interviews were recorded, and audio interviews were transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to generate themes and sub-themes.
Results: Three themes, each with several sub-themes, emerged from the interview data. The first theme was facilitators of effective care, and sub-themes were: modes of services, team-based approach and continuity of care. Continuity of care between successive groups of students was identified as an aspect of placement that requires improvement. The second theme presented how residents' functional abilities and emotional wellbeing improved after participating in student-led assessments and interventions. The third theme was participants' satisfaction with the students' competency and professionalism in delivering services.
Conclusion: From the perspectives of residents and family carers, allied health student placements can enhance service provision in rural RACHs in Northern NSW. These placements offer potential to grow the rural allied health workforce and assist in meeting the health service needs of older rural adults within the region.
Details
- Title
- Resident and Family Carer Perspectives on the Impact of Allied Health Student Placements on Service Delivery to Residents in Northern NSW Aged Care Homes: A Qualitative Study
- Creators
- Rosie Meares - The University of SydneyMohammad Hamiduzzaman - The University of SydneyVanette McLennan - The University of SydneySarah Miles - The University of SydneySarah Crook - The University of SydneyLewis Grove - The University of SydneyFrances Barraclough - The University of SydneyJennie Hewitt - Whiddon Residential Care (Australia, New South Wales)Gillian Nisbet - The University of SydneyKarn Nelson - Glenfield HospitalMarianne Wallis - Southern Cross UniversityVictoria Flood - The University of Sydney
- Publication Details
- The Australian journal of rural health, Vol.34(2), pp.1-9
- Publisher
- Wiley; HOBOKEN
- Grant note
- This study was supported by the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) Aged Care Expansion Grant.
- Identifiers
- 991013358814102368
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Author(s)
- Academic Unit
- Nursing; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Local Fields
- Original Research - SoLT