The Learning Outcome

What Does Work Readiness Really Mean? Insights from an Allied Health Education Perspective

Dr Vidya Lawton, Senior Lecturer and physiotherapist from Macquarie University, helps us unpack the complexities of work readiness and employability as we explore how allied health (with a focus on physiotherapy) students can be better prepared for their first professional roles. From navigating clinical placements to building resilience and adaptability, we discuss innovative curriculum approaches and the shared responsibility of educators, industry, and students. Vidya discusses how the concept of practical wisdom—the ability to make deliberate, effective, and appropriate decisions—plays a pivotal role in graduate readiness, alongside understanding one’s scope of practice and personal needs. 
 

Navigating Digital Health: The Urgent Need for Skills and Standards

Professor Rebecca Grainger, a rheumatologist and academic from the University of Otago in New Zealand, explores the evolving landscape of digital health, focusing on the need for enhanced skills among health professionals. The discussion highlights the importance of critical appraisal of digital tools, from apps to AI, and the challenges educators face in preparing students for a rapidly changing environment. We discuss how educators need to take a proactive approach to integrating digital literacy into health curricula. 

Embracing New Approaches: Transforming Curriculum Through Programmatic Assessment

Dr Priya Khanna, Associate Professor (Nexus Fellow) at the School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, discusses the transformative power of programmatic assessment in healthcare education. Priya argues for a holistic assessment strategy that prioritises students' capabilities over mere scores, advocating for meaningful integration of assessments throughout a course. The discussion highlights some of the limitations of traditional assessment practices and emphasises the need for a paradigm shift that aligns evaluation with the realities of student development. 

From Stage to Simulation: Embracing Imposter Phenomenon in Healthcare Education

Kirsty Freeman, Academic Coordinator at the Rural Clinical School of WA and a Fellow of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, explores the intricacies of impostor phenomenon within healthcare education. Kirsty shares her journey from a budding actor to a healthcare educator, integrating her passion for performance into teaching through innovative simulation techniques. She discusses her ongoing PhD research, which focuses on understanding impostor phenomenon among healthcare simulation educators. By sharing personal experiences and research findings, Kirsty highlights how feelings of impostorism, often perceived as a barrier, can be reframed as a tool for personal growth, professional development, and humility. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on how educators and professionals can navigate and even embrace these feelings, ultimately leading to more authentic and resilient teaching practices. 

Empowering Student Success: Insights from a Leader in Student Experience

Dr Meg Harrold, the Director of Student Experience in the Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University shares her teaching journey, emphasising the importance of empathy and connection in education. Meg discusses her role in enhancing student engagement, particularly for those from equity groups, and her efforts to improve accessibility and retention through innovative strategies. With her passionate approach, Meg is shaping a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students. 

Transforming Medical Training: A System-Wide Approach to Enhancing Doctor Well-Being

Dr. Emma Hodge, the Medical Education and Wellbeing Registrar at Bundaberg Hospital, shares her pioneering role in supporting doctors’ well-being through systemic changes. With a passion for healthcare optimisation, Emma’s role focuses on improving healthcare systems to reduce stress and burnout among medical professionals. Emma discusses the initiatives implemented to support junior doctors, such as enhanced training, better rostering, and career support, which have significantly reduced burnout rates. Emma's work highlights the importance of a holistic approach to well-being, where healthcare organisations actively create supportive environments for their staff. 

Navigating the Hybrid Learning Revolution: Innovation, Interaction, and Engagement

In this episode, A/Prof Lynelle Watts discusses her transformative journey in online learning. We explore how the shift to hybrid models of teaching has reshaped educational practices and we critique the balancing of synchronous and asynchronous methods. The discussion covers the emotional labour of online teaching, strategies for fostering student engagement and community, and the nuances of compulsory versus voluntary interaction. Whether you're an educator or a learner, tune in to discover how to thrive in the evolving landscape of education.

Enhancing Fieldwork Placements Through Innovative Models

In this insightful episode, A/Prof Merrolee Penman unpacks the complexities of student fieldwork placements in occupational therapy and allied health fields. The episode offers fresh perspectives on improving placement experiences and preparing students for the dynamic world of practice. We discuss the challenges and nuances of creating effective learning environments for students on placement in contrast to the controlled learning settings that academic institutions offer. Merrolee describes the concept of clinical placements as a ‘black box’ where we need to identify what is actually happening during placements that is crucial to the student’s learning and how placements shape professional identity and skills. Merrolee presents the peer mentoring model, where senior students support junior ones, enhancing learning and providing valuable feedback. The episode addresses the need for clinical educators to embrace a more facilitative role, focusing on creating environments that foster self-directed learning and critical thinking.

Teaching in the Age of AI: Navigating Ethics and Critical Thinking

In this episode, A/Prof David Hodgson explores the impact of generative AI and large language models on teaching and learning. David discusses how AI tools can both enhance and complicate the educational experience, offering unique opportunities for personalised learning while also presenting new ethical dilemmas. We explore the importance of fostering critical thinking skills in students to help them navigate and critically assess AI-generated content. David shares practical strategies for integrating AI into the curriculum without compromising the core values of education. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on the multifaceted role of AI in higher education, and gain insights into how educators can prepare students for a future where AI will play an increasingly significant role.

Cultivating Compassion: Transforming Education with Self-Kindness

In this episode, Dr Meg Hatfield and Emma Ashcroft describe the powerful concept of self-compassion in higher education, drawing on the inspired work of Dr. Kristen Neff. We explore how self-compassion can revolutionise teaching practices, enhance feedback literacy, and foster resilience among students and educators alike. We present some practical strategies for integrating self-kindness into the classroom, the importance of modelling compassion as an educator, and how these practices can lead to greater well-being, motivation, and professional growth. Whether you're an educator, student, or lifelong learner, this episode offers valuable tools to navigate the challenges of learning and teaching with empathy.