Implementation and service evaluation of a Collaborative Learning in Practice (CLiP) placement pilot for Physiotherapy students in an acute hospital setting

This paper presents the implementation and service evaluation of a Collaborative Learning in Practice (CLiP) pilot placement for physiotherapy students on an acute ward in a secondary care district hospital. The pilot involved two second-year physiotherapy students and two practice educators, and ran alongside an established nursing CLiP placement over six weeks. Student feedback was collected via a post-placement questionnaire comprising of open and closed questions, while informal feedback from practice educators was gathered through emails and meetings. Findings indicated that the CLiP model supported the development of key competencies, including autonomy, caseload management, person-centred care, and communication. Challenges were noted around initial preparation and adaptation to the model. This small-scale pilot offered a physiotherapy-specific example of the CLiP model, addressing a gap in the literature. While appropriate setting, training, and preparation appeared critical to success, findings should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size (n=2). Further research is needed to assess broader effectiveness and scalability.