Varela, Sharon M., Wells, Georgia, Henderson, Mason, Collins, Danielle, Stenhouse, Lynette, and Subramaniam, Prema (2024) Rapid evidence assessment of student-assisted assessment and brief intervention clinics: Addressing the gaps in rural and remote health care. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 29 (4). pp. 275-288.

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Abstract

Objectives With high disease and disability burden in rural and remote regions, student-assisted clinics can be an effective workforce development tool to meet community health needs and workforce shortages. This research sought to identify the conditions under which student-assisted clinics can be successfully utilised as a workforce development strategy, with specific application to remote Queensland, Australia.

Methods A rapid review of the international literature in English was conducted. This was the most appropriate type of review because the results of the review were time-sensitive, with the student-assisted clinic model being trialled in Queensland soon. A mixed methods design was applied, with the search strategy piloted with one database.

Results Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven reported data on participant experiences, including consumers, students, services/clinics, and educators/supervisors/health professionals. Each of the studies operationalised student-assisted clinics through practice models (university-driven learning need), service delivery models (service driven need addressed through a student workforce), community need models (student delivered services primarily addressing a community health need), and blended models (practice need and community need). Some studies reported concerns about fragmentation of services, referral pathways and issues with follow-up, while others reported concerns about sustainable funding. All models reported successful outcomes when focused on service or consumer health outcomes, or student learning outcomes.

Conclusions Student-assisted clinics make an important contribution to the development of the rural and remote health workforce. Student-assisted clinics can complement and extend existing services, supporting workforce development in an overstretched health system impacted by an ongoing pandemic.

Item ID:	85539
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1758-1060
Copyright Information:	© The Author(s) 2024.
Date Deposited:	20 May 2025 03:20
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4203 Health services and systems > 420321 Rural and remote health services @ 100%
SEO Codes:	28 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 2801 Expanding knowledge > 280112 Expanding knowledge in the health sciences @ 100%
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