School-based multidisciplinary student-led clinics in health and Australian accreditation standards: A scoping review

Abstract

Introduction: Student-led clinics can provide health services to marginalised groups where service offerings are sparse or difficult to access, such as rural areas. Offering these services to children and young people can promote health and well-being by addressing the individual challenges and the social determinants of health. There is uncertainty, however, as to whether student-led clinics can meet Australian accreditation standards for health professionals completing degree programs.

Objective: This study aims to determine the capacity for health student placements in school-based student-led clinics to meet accreditation standards.

Design: A systematic scoping review was conducted based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the PRISMA-ScR statement.

Setting: Several databases were examined, including Ebsco (Academic Source and CINAHL), ProQuest (PsycINFO, ERIC) and grey literature sources along with a desktop review of accreditation standards across seven health disciplines. Two independent reviewers screened eligible studies.

Findings: The search retrieved 1037 records with 65 full-text papers assessed for eligibility. Eleven papers met the inclusion criteria. Based on the evidence, both nursing and exercise and sports science accreditation standards were best suited to student-led clinics.

Discussion: Although broad categories of work-integrated learning activities were applied, it appears feasible to expect accreditation standards for health disciplines at an Australian university to be a good fit for health student-led school-based clinics.

Conclusion: Increasing health student placement opportunities within student-led clinics can improve the health and well-being of children and young people in regional, rural and remote (RRR) areas of Australia who may otherwise have limited access to allied health services.

Keywords: allied health; management issues; rural health; student led clinics; student placements.