Developing Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Clinical Support Workers In Their Role In Supporting Student Education

Introduction:
Global healthcare services face increasing pressures and workforce shortages. But at the same time, there are increasing learners in practice as part of longer-term workforce strategies, which, in turn, create extra demands on educators and teams. Anecdotally, we understand that clinical support workers (CSWs) are sharing responsibilities for student learning, yet there is limited understanding of this involvement or activities to support role development. The aims of this study were to (1) explore the CSW role in the practice education of students and (2) evaluate a training programme for CSWs.
Method:
A mixed-methods design was utilised; 17 CSWs completed a survey prior to completing a training programme, and 11 participated in focus groups after the programme.
Findings:
We identified five themes: (1) supporting students is an expectation, (2) supporting students ‘boosts the role’, (3) legitimacy of the CSW role to support students, (4) application of new learning to practice and (5) enablers and barriers to engagement with the programme.
Conclusion:
CSWs are part of practice education ‘Communities of Practice’, evidenced through regular involvement with student learning. Responsibilities for student learning are perceived as adding value, although there is an absence of structures to legitimise the role. CSWs identified barriers and enablers to engaging with the programme, such as blended learning approaches and management support.