Ms Esther Miller1, Dr Alison Dymmott2
1Yorke and Northern Local Health Network, Port Pirie, Australia, 2Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia
Biography:
Esther Miller is a Senior Project Officer Allied Health at Yorke and Northern Local Health Network, SA Health. She is a dietitian by background and recently commenced as an academic tutor for Flinders University supporting the new regionally based allied health degrees.
Dr Alison Dymmott is the Academic Lead, Rural Allied Health at Flinders University. Ali is an occupational therapist, senior lecturer and researcher specialising in rural health, workforce, training and generalist practice. Ali’s PhD investigated the allied health rural generalist pathway as a workforce strategy, and she is leading implementation of co-designed rural allied health degrees in South Australia.
Abstract:
Introduction:
Allied health workforce in regional Australia continues to face attraction, retention, and sustainability challenges. Research indicates addressing this complex challenge requires a multifaceted, system wide approach. Yorke and Northern Local Health Network have implemented an innovative local pipeline solution, empowering their regional communities to remain living, studying and working within their local health network, growing their own allied health workforce.
This research aimed to investigate the impact of the pipeline on recruitment and retention rates within allied health disciplines as well as allied health staff perceptions on the reasons they joined, stayed or left the network. The project was undertaken in partnership with Flinders University.
Methods:
A mixed methods study was undertaken utilising focus groups and surveys with new and existing allied health professionals, and the collection of workforce data. Qualitative data was analysed with reflexive thematic analysis and quantitative data reported descriptively. Synthesised findings were reported concurrently to comprehensively explore the impact of the pipeline.
Results:
Underpinned by the i-PARIHS framework, this research contributes to the body of knowledge around factors influencing the career journey of allied health workforce. This has the potential to empower other regional communities to consider their own sustainable pipeline possibilities and reshape recruitment and retention of allied health in their rural communities.