Allied Health Service-learning Placements in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations: A mixed methods study of work-integrated learning opportunities

Service learning (SL) is “…a course-based, credit-bearing, educational experience in which students: a) participate in an organised service activity that meets identified community needs, and b) reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility” (Bringle and Hatcher 1995). SL embraces the values of reciprocity and mutuality, and has at its centre service provision for underserved communities.

This project aims at investigating the allied health student SL opportunities in rural and regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO) through a survey and focus group discussions of Australian university placement teams.