An appropriate role for allied health professionals? Experiences in the COVID-19 vaccination response
Katrina Dunn1,2, Abby Foster3,4,51West Moreton Hospital & Health Service, Ipswich, QLD, Australia2The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia3Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia4La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia5Monash University, Melbourne , VIC, Australia
Abstract
Background: In response to COVID-19, strategies to enable wide-scale vaccination uptake were implemented. To meet the increased workforce demand, various jurisdictions issued temporary authorisation for specific allied health professionals (AHPs) to perform certain vaccination roles. Little is known about the experiences of AHPs who undertook novel vaccination workforce roles. This study, therefore, examined the experiences of Australian AHPs involved in the COVID-19 vaccination response.
Method: An explanatory-sequential mixed-methods design. Findings from the first phase, a 36-item cross-sectional online survey exploring roles undertaken and perceptions of benefits, concerns, and future roles for AHPs in vaccination responses, are reported. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data analysed using inductive content analysis.
Results: Twenty-nine AHPs completed all survey questions, representing three states and five professions. The most reported benefit to being involved in the vaccination response was ‘enhanced knowledge base related to vaccines’ (n=25, 86.25%), while concerns were expressed related to keeping current with guidelines and accidentally causing harm (each n=11, 37.9%). Theoretical domains enabling AHP participation were ‘knowledge’, ‘reinforcement’, ‘beliefs about consequences’, and ‘environmental context and resources’, while ‘goals’ was identified as a barrier. Three key categories were identified in open-ended responses: “An appropriate role” for allied health?; The impact of allied health participation; and, Processes shape the experience.
Discussion: Findings enhance our understanding of AHPs’ experiences in the COVID-19 vaccination response and the benefits of and barriers to involving AHPs in these roles. In addition, we identify participant-generated suggestions for improving the involvement of this workforce.
Biography
Dr Abby Foster is an allied health clinician, researcher and manager with extensive experience providing services in the Australian public health sector. Abby is the Allied Health Research Advisor at Monash Health and holds adjunct appointments at La Trobe and Monash Universities. Abby’s research is collaborative and multidisciplinary, and she loves talking nerdy about qualitative research.