Understanding and supporting Allied Health Professionals beyond preceptorship:

This project will be answered through four phases utilising a mixed-methods approach. Phase 1 will be a review of existing literature to examine the current evidence base of foundation support to identify the context and factors contributing to successful foundation support. Acknowledging the current lack of published literature on foundation support for AHPs, this may include a variety of grey literature and evidence of foundation support for other professions.

Phase 2 will identify current processes and resources for foundation support through a national survey to stakeholders advertised through organisational networks, such as AHP Faculties and Councils. The survey will use a mixed-methods embedded design, capturing insights on perceptions of foundation support. Data analysis will include descriptive statistics, thematic analysis [8], and a mixed-methods analysis [9].

Phase 3 will explore the perceived critical elements of foundation support via in-depth interviews with AHPs within the first two years of registration. The sample will be drawn from phase 1 and 2 and focus on AHPs with experience of the phenomenon using a purposive approach to reflect a broader range of experience and demographic variables. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach will be taken, providing a nuanced insighted and exploration of AHPs lived experiences [10]. Interviews will be recorded and transcribed, then analysed using Alsaigh and Coyne approach to interpretation of phenomenological data [10].

Phase 4 will be a mixed-methods synthesis of the findings of phase 1-3 using a triangulation protocol [11]. Key themes will be summarised with data and developed into a series of recommendations for foundation support for AHPs.

This research aims to increase awareness on foundation support for AHPs and provide a series of recommendations supporting the existing framework and standards on preceptorship [2]. This research aims to provide the basis for future work including designing programmes and resources to underpin foundation support, implementation of a framework, and evaluation of future foundation support.

The outcomes of this project would underpin national NHS workforce planning to ensure AHPs receive high quality foundation support, standardising the support available and helping the NHS to upskill and retain AHPs as they transition into employment. This project will fit into the wider research agenda to improve recruitment and retention of NHS staff and supporting the development of a diverse workforce.