Perceptions of inclusive learning in academic and clinical environments: a survey of pre-registration healthcare students

Differential attainment among undergraduate/pre-registration healthcare students from diverse sociocultural backgrounds is evident. This research aims to explore healthcare students' feelings of inclusivity and sense of belonging from various demographic groups in order to explore aspects of the student experience that may help make sense of the differential attainment. A self-completed online survey was designed and distributed in seven health programmes in a research-intensive university in England. The results show that a lack of inclusivity and sense of belonging was experienced by healthcare students from underrepresented backgrounds, particularly students who are ethnic minorities, non-heterosexual, or with disabilities. Students reported a stronger sense of belonging comparing their learning at university to their learning on clinical placement. Their perceptions of inclusivity are different across healthcare programmes, with some programmes seeming to foster inclusivity better in some areas than others. This study provides unique insights into the inclusivity of learning for students in healthcare programmes and highlights the need to foster a greater sense of belonging for all students. Understanding the impact of these characteristics on students' learning and attainment contributes to the development and evaluation of strategies to support the development of curricula, teaching and assessment practices that are more inclusive.