Research article: Finding My Place; Experiences of Sense of Belonging in Lunchrooms During Clinical Placements

Research article: Finding My Place; Experiences of Sense of Belonging in Lunchrooms During Clinical Placements

Camilla Gotfred Wigman Poulsen, Tanja Würtz Jørgensen, Julie Franch Nielsen, Ditte Brandt Demant, Johanne Ravn, Rima El Jashi

Abstract

This study explores how biomedical laboratory science (BLS) students at UCL University College (UCL) experience social groupings in lunchrooms during their clinical placements at Odense University Hospital (OUH) and how these interactions influence their sense of belonging. The study was designed by a mixed-method approach, including a survey and individual semi-structured interviews. The survey included students from 2^nd to 7^th semester, and 6 interviews were conducted with students from 4^th to 7^th semester. Empirical data has been interpreted using the concepts of humans’ need for groups and concepts regarding humans’ sense of belonging. It is evident that social dynamics and groupings within the lunchroom impact students. Being included and feeling like they belong influence students’ perception of the department as well as the perception of their own performance. The experiences in the lunchroom could either enhance or diminish a student’s learning.

Keywords: Mixed-method, Clinical placements, Sense of belonging, Social dynamics, Groupings

Int. J. Bio. Lab. Sci 2026(15)1:24-35 【PDF】