Recent UCRH work highlights how allied health rural placements can make a real difference for older people living in residential aged care homes in regional communities. Published in the Australian Journal of Rural Health, the paper centres the voices of residents and family carers and what matters most to them when students are part of everyday care.
The 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, explores experiences in two rural aged care homes in Northern NSW. Allied health students from physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nutrition and dietetics, and social work were integrated into routine service delivery during their placements.
Rather than focusing on systems or outcomes alone, the study asked residents and family carers how student involvement shaped care, wellbeing and daily life. Participants described clear benefits, including improved functional ability and emotional wellbeing after taking part in student led assessments and interventions. A team based approach and flexible service delivery were seen as key strengths, particularly in settings where access to allied health professionals can be limited.
The research also surfaced important areas for improvement. Continuity of care between successive groups of students emerged as a critical issue, with participants noting the value of consistent relationships and follow through over time. These insights offer practical guidance for designing placements that better meet the needs of older rural adults while supporting student learning.
UCRH researchers Professor Vicki Flood, Mohammad Hamiduzzaman, Associate Professor Vanette McLennan, Sarah Miles, Sarah Crook, Lewis Grove and Frances Barraclough are among the co-authors, along with University of Sydney colleagues and collaborators from Whiddon Residential Care and Southern Cross University. Their findings add to growing rural health research showing how student placements can strengthen services, support workforce development and deliver meaningful benefits to communities.
