What just happened? Student perspectives on health promotion placements during COVID-19.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: The emergence of COVID-19 forced the health industry to re-imagine its role and drove Work Integrated Learning (WIL) practicums into virtual spaces, adding complexity for students in these programs. Studies documenting the impact of these outcomes as well as the student experience during these tumultuous times are few, and therefore this study investigated students' lived experience using data sourced from personal observations and insights and subsequent analysis of their own narratives. METHODS: This qualitative study involved researchers applying a thematic analysis to online student blogs which documented their experiences as posted in the discussion forums. Recruitment resulted in a final dataset of 27 providing informed consent, representing a total 36% response rate. RESULTS: Several themes were identified, including: (a) a need for guidance regarding the shift from group work as assignments to teamwork as a workplace practice, (b) to further develop effective communication and technology skills, (c) learn more about productive time management and (d) further understand transitioning from student to practitioner. CONCLUSIONS: This study affirmed that working virtually has a comparable capacity to foster positive, pre-professional identity and thinking more as a practitioner, despite the absence of a face-to-face setting. SO WHAT?: Findings revealed (a) what educators can expect now that approaches to WIL have expanded, (b) how to prepare students for more diverse experiences in circumstances requiring sudden change and (c) how to reconfigure the curriculum and procedures to provide more supportive resources for students and agencies alike.