"Students are part of our team and they’re part of our workforce": The role of student partnerships in collaborative physiotherapy practice-based education

O'Connor, Deborah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0198-1387, Wilkinson, Ryan and Hamshire, Claire ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8585-2207 (2025) "Students are part of our team and they’re part of our workforce": The role of student partnerships in collaborative physiotherapy practice-based education. International Journal for Students as Partners, 9 (1). pp. 109-127.

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Abstract

Developing collaborative educational spaces is vital for students to be active participants within their own learning; however, there is limited research on the impact of constraints and cultures in developing active partnerships with students in healthcare settings. This paper reports on selected findings from an overarching mixed-methods study exploring UK physiotherapy practice educators’ experiences. The aim of the study was to explore practice educators’ perceptions and experiences of supporting students and considerations for future developments. An initial survey generated themes for unstructured focus groups. Fifteen practice educators participated in the focus groups. Three themes were identified around developing student partnerships: staff values in practice education, the importance of integrating students into teams, and learning from students. Partnership working and collaboration within the practice environment provides a space for mutual growth for educators and students. Partnership can facilitate successful outcomes for both staff and students through a reciprocal learning experience.