Rural and Remote Allied Health Assistant positions: an evaluation of the development, implementation and impacts in Queensland Hospital and Health Services
Liza-Jane McBride1, Ilsa Nielsen1, Tae Jostsons1, Kristine Battye2, Catherine Sefton2 1Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer, Queensland Health, Herston, QLD, Australia2Kristine Battye Consulting (KBC) Pty Ltd, Orange, NSW, Australia
Abstract
Background
Health service providers are increasingly viewing allied health assistant (AHA) positions as a core component of the rural and remote health workforce. There is relatively limited information available on employment, workforce development, and service factors associated with implementing AHA positions in rural and remote areas, including roles that work remotely to rest of the allied health team.
Methods
A descriptive research study, using a concurrent mixed methods approach, was undertaken by Kristine Battye Consulting (KBC) Australia for Queensland Health that examined the development of rural and remote AHA positions 2014-2022. Workforce data from nine rural and remote Queensland Health services were analysed for trends in AHA position establishment and employee profiles. Twenty-eight interviews with key stakeholders at five purposively selected case study sites were completed, along with online surveys for AHAs and allied health professionals.
Findings
The rural and remote AHA workforce almost doubled to 75FTE in the seven years to 2022. Median tenure for an AHA was 3.25 years (95% CI: 2.25-5.5) in Queensland Health and 2.25 years (1.75-3.25) in rural and remote locations. Factors contributing to the sustainability of AHA-delivered services and service models in rural and remote communities include: local recruitment; availability of education resources/programs and capacity of the team to support training; and clearly defined clinical governance and operational processes.
Summary
This study showed a substantial increase in AHA roles in rural and remote Queensland Health services since 2014, and provides examples of service models and factors that influence successful implementation.
Biography
Liza-Jane McBride is the Chief Allied Health Officer for Queensland. An experienced physiotherapist with over 25 years of practice experience in the public and private sectors in Queensland and overseas. Liza-Jane has postgraduate qualifications in health management and is an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Queensland and an Associate Clinical Professor in the School of Clinical Sciences at the Queensland University of Technology. Her past publications and current research collaborations include a range of allied health workforce, education, and service redesign projects.