The New South Wales Allied Health Workplace Learning Study: barriers and enablers to learning in the workplace

BMC Health Services Research

Annie McCluskey¹  David Schmidt²  Gaynor Heading²  Jacqueline Dominish²  Daniella Pfeiffer²  Bradley Lloyd³ 

[1] Discipline of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia;Health Education and Training Institute, NSW Health, Gladesville, NSW, Australia;Centre for Education and Workforce Development, Sydney Local Health District, Rozelle, NSW, Australia

关键词: Continuing professional development;    Allied health;    Education;    Workplace learning;   

Others  :  1133227
DOI  :  10.1186/1472-6963-14-134

 received in 2013-11-10, accepted in 2014-03-18,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Workplace learning refers to continuing professional development that is stimulated by and occurs through participation in workplace activities. Workplace learning is essential for staff development and high quality clinical care. The purpose of this study was to explore the barriers to and enablers of workplace learning for allied health professionals within NSW Health.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted with a purposively selected maximum variation sample (n = 46) including 19 managers, 19 clinicians and eight educators from 10 allied health professions. Seven semi-structured interviews and nine focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed. The ‘framework approach’ was used to guide the interviews and analysis. Textual data were coded and charted using an evolving thematic framework.

Results

Key enablers of workplace learning included having access to peers, expertise and ‘learning networks’, protected learning time, supportive management and positive staff attitudes. The absence of these key enablers including heavy workload and insufficient staffing were important barriers to workplace learning.

Conclusion

Attention to these barriers and enablers may help organisations to more effectively optimise allied health workplace learning. Ultimately better workplace learning may lead to improved patient, staff and organisational outcomes.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Lloyd et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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