Multiple stakeholder perspectives of factors influencing differential outcomes for ethnic minority students on health and social care placements: a qualitative exploration

NIGHTINGALE, Julie, PARKIN, Jackie, NELSON, Pete, MASTERSON-NG, Shirley, BREWSTER, Jacqui, LABINJO, Temitope, AMOAKOH, Deborah, LOMAS, David, SALIH, Ifrah and HARROP, Deborah (2022). Multiple stakeholder perspectives of factors influencing differential outcomes for ethnic minority students on health and social care placements: a qualitative exploration. BMC Medical Education, 22 (1).

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Official URL: https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1...
Open Access URL: https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.... (Published version)
Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-03070-3

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Despite considerable efforts there continues to be a degree awarding gap within the United Kingdom (UK) between the proportion of White British students receiving higher classifications, compared to ethnic minority UK-domiciled students. Practice placement elements constitute approximately 50% of most health and social care programmes, yet surprisingly little research exists related to the factors which may contribute to ethnic minority student placement outcomes or experiences. This study bridges this evidence gap by exploring factors influencing differential placement outcomes of ethnic minority students from the perspectives of key stakeholders. Methods: The study followed a descriptive qualitative research design and was multi-disciplinary, with participants drawn from across nursing, midwifery, social work and the allied health professions. Participants from four stakeholder categories (ethnic minority students, academic staff, placement educators and student union advisors) were invited to join separate focus groups. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed and analysed thematically. Results: Ten separate focus groups [n = 66] yielded three primary themes: 1) recognition, which highlighted stakeholder perceptions of the issues [sub-themes: acknowledging concerns; cultural norms; challenging environments]; 2) the lived experience, which primarily captured ethnic minority student perspectives [sub-themes: problematising language and stereotyping, and being treated differently]; 3) surviving not thriving, which outlines the consequences of the lived experience [sub-themes: withdrawing mentally, feeling like an alien]. Conclusion: This study presents a rich exploration of the factors affecting differential outcomes of ethnic minority students on practice placements through the lens of four different stakeholder groups. To our knowledge this is the first study in which this comprehensive approach has been taken to enable multiple viewpoints to be accessed across a wide range of health and social care professions. The issues and challenges raised appear to be common to most if not all of these disciplines. This study highlights the urgent need to value and support our ethnic minority students to remove the barriers they face in their practice learning settings. This is a monumental challenge and requires both individuals and organisations to step up and take collective responsibility.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: ** From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications Router ** Licence for this article: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ **Journal IDs: eissn 1472-6920 **Article IDs: publisher-id: s12909-021-03070-3; manuscript: 3070 **History: collection 12-2022; online 04-01-2022; published 04-01-2022; registration 08-12-2021; accepted 08-12-2021; submitted 20-05-2021
Uncontrolled Keywords: Research, Ethnicity, BAME, BME, Student experience, Clinical placements, Allied health professions, Social work, Nursing, Midwifery
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-03070-3
SWORD Depositor: Colin Knott
Depositing User: Colin Knott
Date Deposited: 06 Jan 2022 14:31
Last Modified: 06 Jan 2022 14:45
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29558

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