Student Injury Management Clinic

The Student Injury Management Clinic (SIMC) journey began creating a sector leading, unique and innovative clinical experience for the management of musculoskeletal conditions. SIMC is embedded within 25 percent of Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation pre-registration modules (UG/PG). Paul Chesterton and Gillian Naylor aided, with students as partners, the design and adoption of the clinic. Since its implementation within the BSc Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation degree in 2014, the clinic has transformed into a bespoke 12-bay clinical room, rehabilitation/exercise suite and hydro-therapy pool. The ‘live’ clinic provides an exceptional, world-ready experience with employability entrenched in its foundations. SIMC is distinctive as a student-centred experience with an individualised pedagogical approach. The mission is to bridge the knowledge gap between a theoretical curriculum and a practical, real-world experience within a professional multi-partnered community, focused on supporting and preparing students for employment. Since its inception, SIMC has revolutionised the experience of over 400 Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation students, treating 8,000 patients at Teesside University. Principal Clinic Supervisor, Deborah Harris and Deputy Nathan Liddle have been responsible for supporting students to galvanise the experience offered by SIMC. Student outcomes have been transformed with growth across student retention, completion and employment metrics. Importantly, student satisfaction with SIMC continues to rise with innovative approaches to reflective practice, active-learning, and peer support. The SIMC collaborative model has been adopted by cross-discipline clinics internally and externally, nationally and internationally. Its distinctive approach to collaboration with external stakeholders has ensured students are exposed to unique clinical experiences. Such approaches have nurtured the development of clinical and non-clinical skills, through a community of practice, enabling employment ready graduates to face the challenge of an ever-changing healthcare landscape.