Indicators of a Quality Clinical Placement in Pharmacy: Stakeholder Perspectives

Background: The educative role of experiential workplace placements has been discussed in the context of many health professions. Quality assurance and enhancement strategies rely on evaluations that provide valid and reliable data, so that informed decisions can be made about improving learning for students. No research could be located in the literature to determine the gap between stakeholders' perceptions of the importance of indicators and their perceptions of whether these practices occur in experiential placements. Aim: To develop indicators that can be used to describe a quality clinical placement; and to determine stakeholder perspectives on the occurrence of the indicators in Australian pharmacy student workplace placements. Method: A questionnaire was developed and administered to students, academics and placement preceptors. Results: The indicators for placement quality were perceived to be important. However, perceptions of the degree to which these indicators actually occurred on placement varied between the three stakeholder groups. Conclusion: Stakeholder groups are either not aware or do not necessarily understand the contribution of the other stakeholders to the placement process. This highlights the need for collaboration and recognition of the roles of all participants in quality placements.