Preparing students for placement in Aboriginal health services using online virtual orientation tours: A Participatory action approach

Objective: To co-construct a virtual web-based platform to enhance the preparation of health care students for placement in Aboriginal health settings.

Methods: A Participatory action project undertaken in 2014-15 in Tasmania, Australia. Participants were an Aboriginal community controlled organisation, its Aboriginal Health Services and rural health academics at an Australian university.

Results: Virtual orientation tours of three Aboriginal Health Services were viewed 1,500 times within 12 months of being uploaded online in 2015. Collaboration was central to producing a mutually-useful, culturally-informed online resource that met the needs of placement and education providers for preparing students for placements in Aboriginal health. Partners and faculty that manage undergraduate placements valued the consistency, reach and flexibility the tours afforded.

Conclusions: Co-constructed virtual orientation tours provide a resource effective way for placement and education providers to augment the practical, cultural and ethical preparation of students for placement in Aboriginal health. Providing all health care students from any education provider, timely and flexible access to virtual tours of Aboriginal health services can demystify these services, attract interest in-context and begin orientation prior to arrival.

Implications: Virtual tours of Aboriginal health services may better prepare students for placements and facilitate more positive placement experiences and learning outcomes. Virtual tours augmented with cultural information further ensure that students are culturally and professionally prepared to observe appropriate health service delivery in situ. This will reduce anxiety and may be useful for other health services and education providers seeking to prepare students for placement in Aboriginal health care settings.