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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

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  • Catherine Cosgrave

    (Department of Rural Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Docker St, Wangaratta, VIC 3677, Australia)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine Cosgrave, 2020. "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 Servic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-27, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:16:p:5815-:d:397613
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Catherine Cosgrave & Christina Malatzky & Judy Gillespie, 2019. "Social Determinants of Rural Health Workforce Retention: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Beatriz Cuesta-Briand & Mathew Coleman & Rebekah Ledingham & Sarah Moore & Helen Wright & David Oldham & Denese Playford, 2020. "Understanding the Factors Influencing Junior Doctors’ Career Decision-Making to Address Rural Workforce Issues: Testing a Conceptual Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-12, January.
    3. Catherine Cosgrave, 2020. "The Whole-of-Person Retention Improvement Framework: A Guide for Addressing Health Workforce Challenges in the Rural Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-14, April.
    4. Pathman, D.E. & Konrad, T.R. & Dann, R. & Koch, G., 2004. "Retention of primary care physicians in rural health professional shortage areas," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(10), pages 1723-1729.
    5. Narelle Campbell & Diann S Eley & Lindy McAllister, 2016. "How Do Allied Health Professionals Construe the Role of the Remote Workforce? New Insight into Their Recruitment and Retention," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(12), pages 1-15, December.
    6. O'Toole, Kevin & Schoo, Adrian & Stagnitti, Karen & Cuss, Kate, 2008. "Rethinking policies for the retention of allied health professionals in rural areas: A social relations approach," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(3), pages 326-332, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lillian Mwanri & Emily Miller & Moira Walsh & Melanie Baak & Anna Ziersch, 2023. "Social Capital and Rural Health for Refugee Communities in Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-18, January.
    2. Joanne Lawrence-Bourne & Hazel Dalton & David Perkins & Jane Farmer & Georgina Luscombe & Nelly Oelke & Nasser Bagheri, 2020. "What Is Rural Adversity, How Does It Affect Wellbeing and What Are the Implications for Action?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-13, October.
    3. Madhan Balasubramanian & Stephanie Short, 2021. "The Future Health Workforce: Integrated Solutions and Models of Care," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-4, March.

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