The hidden determiner of student learning opportunity on clinical placement.

A qualitative study was undertaken to gain deeper insight into the nature of learning opportunities afforded to speech and language therapy (SLT) students on clinical placement. The study aimed to illuminate aspects of the placement learning environment that have a positive or negative influence. Indepth interviews were conducted with two groups of students (13 in total), five education-based clinical tutors and five National Health Service (NHS)-based clinical supervisors. Interviews were transcribed, indexed, charted and analysed. A previously unexplored theme emerged from the data--that of risk. This paper explores the concept of risk and looks at the ways in which risk defines the amount, timing and nature of clinical experience for students.