Supporting nursing and allied health student placements in rural and remote Australia: a narrative review of publications by university departments of rural health

Abstract

Summary University departments of rural health are Commonwealth‐funded to improve recruitment and retention of the rural allied health and nursing (including midwifery) workforce, primarily through student placements. We examined publications by university departments of rural health that were focused on allied health and nursing students undertaking placements in rural Australia, to understand the characteristics, main findings and implications of the research conducted. Interprofessional learning was a key feature of placements and placement education, although other activities such as community engagement added to placement experiences. Factors such as quality supervision and being involved in the community contributed to a positive placement experience and increased rural practice intention. Tracking studies showed a relationship between rural placements, rural practice intention and rural practice. Rural placements occurred across a variety of settings and in locations consistent with the policy framework. Embedding university departments of rural health in rural communities enabled staff to build relationships and increase placement capacity.

Are recent health, welfare and care graduates part of a rural and remote workforce solution? Evidence from Tasmania, Australia

“…The Tasmanian Government has already implemented strategic measures to address congoing health workforce shortages by investing in local training opportunities where sustainable to do so [ 31 , 41 ], and introducing scholarship schemes to attract candidates from interstate courses [ 49 ]. While these strategies align with evidence-based approaches to rural workforce growth and sustainability [ 23 , 54 , 55 ], other measures are recommended including: affirmative selection of Tasmanian rural origin students into health courses given these students are more likely to remain in the state and work in rural areas post-qualifying [ 17 , 21 , 23 , 54 , 55 ]; and building high-quality placement capacity across the state, especially for allied health professions and those without local training options, to build a pipeline of interested graduates [ 22 , 23 , 54 ] and promote job satisfaction among the existing workforce [ 56 ]. Improving rural curricula across health courses and building generalist capabilities will also support health graduates to transition successfully into rural positions when available [ 27 , 53 , 55 ].…”

An underutilised resource: The evolving role of clinical nurses contributing to rural health research

“…11,17 Within the RHMT, in particular the University Departments of Rural Health, have been found to contribute to high quality rural clinical training experience and production of significant research addressing health inequities in rural Australia and maldistribution of health workforce. 17,24 Specifically within the RHMT framework is the requirement to maintain and progress an evidence base and the rural health agenda. 11,14,17 This parameter includes aspects such as rural health workforce development, rural training strategies, supporting rural research opportunities for students, graduate outcome tracking and innovative rural service delivery to meet community needs.…”

“…11,14,17 This parameter includes aspects such as rural health workforce development, rural training strategies, supporting rural research opportunities for students, graduate outcome tracking and innovative rural service delivery to meet community needs. 11,17,24 While the RHMT and its predecessors date back to the late 1990s, 25 there are contemporary tailwinds in the form of certain Medical Research Future Fund that will assist nurse-led research over time. These calls have guidelines around Chief Investigator eligibility including requirements for registered clinicians who need to have lived in a rural setting for a set period prior to submission.…”

Primary care nurse's role and educational preparedness in skin cancer screening and early detection: A scoping review

“…Nurses are recognized primary care providers in rural communities, having a broad scope of practice and working collaboratively with GPs in advanced and extended roles (Walsh et al, 2023).…”