Context Matters: Findings from a Qualitative Study Exploring Service and Place Factors Influencing the Recruitment and Retention of Allied Health Professionals in Rural Australian Public Health Services

Abstract

Chronic health workforce shortages significantly contribute to unmet health care needs in rural and remote communities. Of particular and growing concern are shortages of allied health professionals (AHPs). This study explored the contextual factors impacting the recruitment and retention of AHPs in rural Australia. A qualitative approach using a constructivist-interpretivist methodology was taken. Semi-structured interviews (n = 74) with executive staff, allied health (AH) managers and newly recruited AHPs working in two rural public health services in Victoria, Australia were conducted. Data was coded and categorised inductively and analysed thematically. The findings suggest that to support a stable and sustainable AH workforce, rural public sector health services need to be more efficient, strategic and visionary. This means ensuring that policies and procedures are equitable and accessible, processes are effective, and action is taken to develop local programs, opportunities and supports that allow AH staff to thrive and grow in place at all grade levels and life stages. This study reinforces the need for a whole-of-community approach to effectively support individual AH workers and their family members in adjusting to a new place and developing a sense of belonging in place. The recommendations arising from this study are likely to have utility for other high-income countries, particularly in guiding AH recruitment and retention strategies in rural public sector health services. Recommendations relating to community/place will likely benefit broader rural health workforce initiatives.

Models of remote professional supervision for psychologists in rural and remote locations: A systematic review

“…Over the past few decades, psychology has increasingly become an urbanised profession, with the number of psychologists currently practising in geographically rural and remote location estimated to be <8% of the psychology workforce 4,5 . Developing the geographically rural and remote health workforce faces challenges, with rural and remote practitioners often having higher workloads and more complex cases than their urban colleagues 6 . Additionally, rural and remote located health professionals are more likely to experience professional isolation, with limited access to supervision and peer networks 6,7 .…”

“…One key strategy that has been successful in addressing these workforce and training issues in other health professions has been remote supervision models using videoconferencing technology 6,8 . In Australia, the medical profession has led the way in developing remote supervision, training models and pathways 8,9 .…”

“…These investments have resulted in an increase in the number of rural and remote trained and practising doctors, with medicine leading the research focusing on standards and models of supervision, particularly in the area of remote supervision 9 . For non‐medical health professionals in Australia, there has been a historical bias towards regional and urban training, with rural and remote career pathways and remote supervision being a more recent addition for psychologists in training 2,5,6,10 . Although the introduction of remote supervision models was a welcome change for psychologists in rural and remote practice, there have been little data collected about the effectiveness of models of remote supervision in psychology, or the experiences of psychologists who are receiving or providing remote supervision within the rural and remote context 11 …”

The Future Health Workforce: Integrated Solutions and Models of Care

“…Catherine Cosgrave’s study addresses chronic workforce shortages and unmet health care needs in rural and remote communities in Australia [ 4 ]. The findings from this qualitative study (semi-structured interviews with 74 executive staff, managers, and allied health professionals) revealed factors influencing the recruitment and retention of allied health professionals in rural public sector health services in Australia.…”

Multidisciplinary mental health supervision in a rural context: An exploratory study of experiences in northern British Columbia

“…Workplace/organization involves working in a friendly and supportive environment while role/career involves opportunities for professional development. Thirdly, community/place involves being socially connected and having a sense of belonging (Cosgrave, 2020). The study is yet another relevant attempt to remedy rural remote workforce challenges but falls short of addressing supervisory challenges.…”