Can the 2:1 model be implemented effectively into practice placements across allied health disciplines?

Practice education is a crucial component in the education of health professionals as it provides the development and practice of expert skills. In supporting this professional development, practice education models are utilised within placements. The 2:1 model is one such education model that has been investigated and utilised on an international level within practice placement across allied health disciplines. It comprises of one practice educator supervising two students on a practice placement. The aim of this systematic literature review was to examine the qualities of the 2:1 model and to establish its application across allied health practice placements. A computer- based literature search was conducted using the electronic databases CINAHL, AMED, Medline; secondary sources included Google scholar, hand search of relevant journals and reference lists. Twenty nine studies met the inclusion criteria for further review. The studies were analysed using the McMaster qualitative and quantitative critiquing tool. Much of the literature was observed to identify advantages and disadvantages of the model, and appeared consistent across the disciplines. However, the representation of various allied health disciplines in the literature was limited and therefore interpretation of the findings should be taken with caution. Overall, the results regarding the effectiveness and superiority of the 2:1 model over other practice education models were inconclusive. There is a necessity for extensive research to be carried out across a range of allied health disciplines to inform the delivery of practice education that is founded on evidence based practice.