Targeted support key to building rural allied health workforce
Community connection, experience working in rural areas and workload management are also important for workforce retention, new research from Flinders University shows.
Staff turnover and a lack of resources remain a challenge for the regional, rural and remote allied health workforce, but new research from Flinders University shows there are several personal and organisational factors that can help retain workers.
In 2019 South Australia Health introduced the allied health rural generalist pathway as a workforce building strategy, and research – also conducted by Flinders University – has shown it has a positive impact on participants and consumers and is cost-effective.
The latest research on the postgraduate pathway conducted by Flinders University has found contextual factors can impact its success, and that the workforce can be built by better supporting early career allied health professionals through:
- improving community connections
- workload management
- targeted professional development.
Using a qualitative approach completed across four research phases, the research team followed 15 allied health professionals who undertook the pathway in regional SA, interviewing them and conducting surveys to understand who was most likely to complete the program and why.
The research – published in Rural and Remote Health – found that trainees who chose to participate were significantly more likely to complete the program than those nominated by their employer, as were those who integrated into the local community and expressed a long-term commitment to working in rural areas.
Academic lead of Rural Allied Health at Flinders University and lead author Dr Ali Dymmott said the findings ultimately show success depends not just on training but creating the right environment for allied health professionals to thrive too.
“The regions desperately need more allied health professionals, so it’s vital we find solutions to not only encourage people to work in rural Australia, but to feel supported and connected enough to stay,” said Dr Dymmott – who is also the Deputy Dean of Clinical and Community Practice at Flinders’ College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
“Professional development is one of the most effective strategies for retaining allied health staff in rural areas, but it needs to be targeted,” she said.
“When participants are motivated, supported by their organisation and connected to their community, they are far more likely to complete the training and stay in regional practice.”
Timing was also shown to be an important factor, with those who had at least one year of experience working in rural areas prior to starting the pathway more likely to succeed than people who started right after graduating.
“Early-career professionals often face a steep learning curve,” said Dr Dymmott. “Allowing them time to settle into rural practice before beginning postgraduate study can help them gain confidence and make the most of the program.”
Dr Dymmott added that the research provides further practical insights for health services that are planning future workforce initiatives, as the latest research findings further reinforce the value of the pathway.
“Successful rural workforce programs are not one-size-fits-all. By understanding the contextual factors that support completion and retention, we can help ensure rural and remote communities continue to benefit from skilled, committed allied health professionals,” she said.
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