| Sumario: | Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of rural clinical placements on allied health students' perceived self‐efficacy in service delivery, as part of a larger evaluation of facilitated student placements in Northern New South Wales residential aged‐care homes. Methods: A mixed‐methods design was employed. Allied health students from a variety of universities undertook at least five‐week clinical placements in two rural residential aged‐care homes via a programme designed and coordinated by the University Centre for Rural Health in partnership with the Aged Care Residential facility. Quantitative data were collected using a modified Self‐Efficacy in Clinical Performance Scale, pre and post‐placement. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted post‐placement. Self‐efficacy scores were compared using the Wilcoxon Signed‐Rank test, and the effect size was calculated. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes from interview transcripts. Results: Twenty‐five students completed the surveys, and 12 interviews were included in this study. There was a statistically significant increase, post‐placement compared to pre‐placement, in total self‐efficacy in clinical performance scores, as well as in subscale scores. The subscales related to assessment, diagnosis, and planning and implementation. Two themes were identified from the qualitative interviews: (1) heightened confidence, independence, and work readiness; and (2) confidence and enthusiasm for interprofessional work. Conclusions: Our findings provide beginning evidence that a well‐resourced and focused programme of clinical placements can improve allied health student self‐efficacy and may stimulate greater enthusiasm for working in the rural aged‐care sector.
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