Developing clinical expertise through clinical placement at masters level

This paper reports further on a descriptive survey that explored the characteristics of existing masters courses that aimed to develop clinical expertise. The focus of the paper is the clinical placement component of masters courses. Quantitative and qualitative data were combined through use of a questionnaire to a total population sample (n = 171) of course tutors of masters courses in healthcare. A very good response rate (n = 148, 86.5%) found 89% (n = 132) of courses aiming to develop clinical expertise. As a means of developing expertise, emphasis was placed on clinical placement by 38.6% of participants (n = 51). The data illustrate the features of clinical placement and raise key issues, such as the emphasis placed on part-time models of placement. Distinct differences between physiotherapy and other courses were highlighted, including physiotherapy's preference for two placements, the 2: 1 model, placement of students outside of their place of work, and the use of placements at the end of the theoretical course components. The study has good external validity and can therefore be used as the basis for future work.