Learning and satisfaction in a student-led clinic.

Background: Student-led clinics (SLCs) offer unique clinical placement experiences and address unmet community rehabilitation needs. There is growing evidence that SLCs provide high-quality experiential practice and adequate quality of patient care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction with student-led care and students' perception of their learning experiences in a student-led physiotherapy clinic.

Methods: Eight participants with total hip arthroplasty attended 6 weeks of student-led group exercise classes. As a marker of quality of care, we assessed key outcomes including walking speed and endurance, lower extremity function, falls risk and self-reported quality of life after 3 and 6 weeks. Patients completed a satisfaction survey at the end of the program. Ten students who completed a placement during this time shared their perception of learning in the SLC.

Results: Student-led group exercise class was associated with improvements in walking speed and endurance, lower extremity function, a decrease in falls risk and improved quality of life. Patients were satisfied with their care. The SLC was a safe learning environment in which students felt well-supported to develop confidence and independence, were encouraged to reflect on performance and take responsibility for care provided.

Conclusion: Patients are largely satisfied with the quality of care provided. High-quality authentic clinical learning opportunities provided in the SLC may offer pedagogical benefits over traditional practicums, and students are generally satisfied with their learning experiences. SLCs may provide a setting to expose students to research and gain appreciation for evidence-based practice.