FACTORS AFFECTING BELONGINGNESS OF UNDERGRADUATE DPT STUDENTS DURING THEIR CLINICAL PLACEMENTS – QUALITATIVE STUDY

Background: Belongingness, defined as the feeling of being an integral part of the clinical environment, significantly impacts student’s learning experiences, professional identity formation and overall well-being. The present study aims to identify the factors that is either they are the trait factors or the state factors or any other factors that affects the student’s sense of belongingness when they are exposed to a multi professional environment. Methodology: It is a single case qualitative study. Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit the study participants. Data was collected through zoom application and theoretical framework was used as a tool; integrated framework 2021 as a theoretical framework for our study. Interview guide has also been used as a tool for our study. Results: Participants in the research were 18 to 25 years old and encompassed 4 adult male students and 8 adult female students. A totality of 648 initial codes was extricated. The essence of belongingness regarding supervised clinical placements was enunciated and categorized into six themes. Six concepts (themes) and 24 subthemes, which represented the nature of DPT student’s experiences, were as follows: evolution of virtuosity and workforce deportment, efficacious inclination and demeanour, safeguarding patient solemnity and encouraging environment, repudiation as a profession and phenomenal doctors, plaudits and appreciation culminate in professional identity and misinformation and perceived severity. Conclusion: The study findings showed that the affair of belongingness and highlighting its undesirable consequences on an individual are of central importance. The staff at clinical placements including the house officers and supervisors must execute their part and involvement properly in providing encouraging and reassuring clinical environment, complementary and appreciative connection and culminating professional identity for students so that they feel secure, accepted and valued.