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Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluates the clinical placement learning environment from the standpoint of Year 3 and Year 4 healthcare students in the UAE. Methods: The perspectives of healthcare students on clinical learning environments were studied using the validated Undergraduate Clinical Education Environment Measure (UCEEM). Third- and fourth-year (fifth-year pharmacy students inclusive) undergraduate healthcare students (radiography and medical imaging, emergency health, midwifery, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and psychology) (n=647) at a United Arab Emirates university were invited to participate in the study. The UCEEM contains 25 items under two overarching aspects, experiential learning and social engagement, with four subscales: learning opportunities at and through work and quality of supervision, preparing for entering students, patterns of workplace interaction and student engagement, and equal treatment. Results: The study recorded a response rate of 80.97%. The mean UCEEM score was 95.254±25.9753 (optimal range: 90-125). Patterns of workplace interaction and student engagement were recorded (22.783 ± 5.9105). (optimal range: 22-30) A—Learning opportunities at and through work and quality of supervision (42.1644 ± 10.7101). (Optimal range: 41-55) “Equal treatment” and “opportunity to put theory into practice” were ranked amongst the highest. Clinical supervision-related items were ranked high. Conclusion: High UCEEM scores indicate healthcare students have an optimistic view of their clinical learning environments, especially for equality and experiential learning. Most participants from different programs showed high satisfaction levels. However, the emergency health program showed a moderate satisfaction level.

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