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Approaches Used to Describe, Measure, and Analyze Place of Practice in Dentistry, Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health Rural Graduate Workforce Research in Australia: A Systematic Scoping Review

Author

Listed:
  • Hannah Beks

    (School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia)

  • Sandra Walsh

    (Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Whyalla 5608, Australia)

  • Laura Alston

    (School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia)

  • Martin Jones

    (Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Whyalla 5608, Australia)

  • Tony Smith

    (Department of Rural Health, University of Newcastle, Taree 2430, Australia)

  • Darryl Maybery

    (Department of Rural Health & Indigenous Health, Monash University, Warragul 3820, Australia)

  • Keith Sutton

    (Department of Rural Health & Indigenous Health, Monash University, Warragul 3820, Australia)

  • Vincent L Versace

    (School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia)

Abstract

Redressing the maldistribution of the health workforce in regional, rural, and remote geographical areas is a global issue and crucial to improving the accessibility of primary health care and specialist services. Geographical classification systems are important as they provide an objective and quantifiable measure of access and can have direct policy relevance, yet they are not always consistently applied in rural health research. It is unclear how research focusing on the graduate health workforce in Australia has described, measured, and analyzed place of practice. To examine approaches used, this review systematically scopes Australian rural studies focusing on dentistry, medicine, nursing, and allied health graduates that have included place of practice as an outcome measure. The Joanna Brigg’s Institute Scoping Review Methodology was used to guide the review. Database searches retrieved 1130 unique citations, which were screened, resulting in 62 studies for inclusion. Included studies were observational, with most focusing on the practice locations of medical graduates and predicators of rural practice. Variations in the use of geographical classification approaches to define rurality were identified and included the use of systems that no longer have policy relevance, as well as adaptations of existing systems that make future comparisons between studies challenging. It is recommended that research examining the geographical distribution of the rural health workforce use uniform definitions of rurality that are aligned with current government policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Hannah Beks & Sandra Walsh & Laura Alston & Martin Jones & Tony Smith & Darryl Maybery & Keith Sutton & Vincent L Versace, 2022. "Approaches Used to Describe, Measure, and Analyze Place of Practice in Dentistry, Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health Rural Graduate Workforce Research in Australia: A Systematic Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1438-:d:735670
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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.
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    Cited by:

    1. Claire Ellen Seaman & Elyce Green & Kate Freire, 2022. "Effect of Rural Clinical Placements on Intention to Practice and Employment in Rural Australia: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-24, April.

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