Abstract
Background
There is a renewed focus on the role of primary healthcare within the health system
due to an ageing population, increasing cost of acute healthcare services, and an
emphasis on developing healthier communities. Associated with this focus is the need
for an increase in primary healthcare workforce capacity. Despite this, primary healthcare
is rarely prioritised within the pre-registration nursing curricula. By understanding
the perspectives and experiences of student nurses regarding clinical placement in
primary healthcare, educators and industry will be better informed to support the
student nurse within this setting.
Aim
The aim of this integrative literature review was to identify the established knowledge
regarding the attitudes, perceptions and experiences of student nurses attending clinical
placement within primary healthcare.
Methods
A search of electronic databases including Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied
Health Literature (CINAHL), Pubmed, Proquest, Informit, Scopus, Clinical Key and Google
Scholar was undertaken. The review included papers over a 10 year period; January
2007 to December 2017. Quality evaluation was undertaken using a Mixed Methods Appraisal
Tool and the selected papers were then analysed thematically.
Findings
Analysis identified two interrelated themes. The first theme primary healthcare clinical experience is comprised of three sub themes; learning on placement, context of care, and support
on placement. This theme discusses students understanding of primary healthcare practice
and learning. The second theme attitudes towards primary healthcare also comprises three sub themes including focus on acute care, usefulness of placement,
and autonomy in practice. This theme highlights the varied perspectives and attitudes
pre-registration student nurses hold towards nursing within primary healthcare and
their clinical placement experience.
Conclusion
Student nurses are reported to have both positive and negative attitudes towards primary
healthcare nursing. Despite this, clinical placement within primary healthcare is
generally well received by the student nurse. To support student nurses in their learning
within primary healthcare, it is essential to offer both theoretical content and clinical
experiences which address preconceptions and attitudes towards the setting.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 07, 2019
Accepted:
January 25,
2019
Received in revised form:
December 20,
2018
Received:
February 15,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Australian College of Nursing Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
