Belongingness: Student ODPs’ learning experiences in clinical placements

Abstract

The aim of this qualitative study is to explore student operating department practitioners’ (ODPs’) experiences of belongingness in clinical placements. Belongingness has been shown to be significant for learning in clinical placements for student nurses and midwives. This study was designed to look specifically at student ODPs’ experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight student ODPs. The interviews were transcribed and coded. All student ODPs could describe clinical placement experiences where they felt they belonged and those where they felt they did not belong. Both had a significant impact on students’ learning experience. Students also described their own sense of responsibility for belonging while in placement. This study provides qualitative data to help understand how belongingness can positively or negatively affect the learning experiences of student ODPs in clinical placements.