Gathering evidence for medical students’ contribution to health services: A communities of practice informed methodology

Abstract

Introduction: Immersion in clinical environments is key to developing work-ready graduates. Workplace learning literature has focused on the benefits of clinical placements for students and the burden for health services, such as the cost of supervisor time away from patient care. There has been little focus on mapping the benefits (obvious and hidden) of clinical placements to multiple stakeholders. Aim: To develop a methodology for capturing the benefits of clinical placements for multiple stakeholders. Methods: Using ethnographic methods of observation and interviews, as well as surveys, and drawing from the concept of legitimate peripheral participation within a Community of Practice..