Differences in perceptions of primary health care gaps by profession and remoteness in remote and rural Queensland: rural allied health practitioners’ perspective
Keith Palanna1, David Wellman1, Christian Hughes1 1Health Workforce Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Abstract
Introduction
Health practitioners and practice managers (PM) have a good viewpoint of primary health care (PHC) gaps in their rural communities and can be a valuable aid in local workforce planning. However, little is known about how allied health practitioner (AHP) perceptions of PHC gaps differ to other professional groups and vary by remoteness.
Method
This was part of a larger quality assurance project to meet reporting requirements to the Australian Government DHAC. An online survey of PHC health practitioners/managers in Modified Monash 2-7 QLD was conducted between September 2022-February 2023. Thirty statements were presented on a 101-point agreement rating scale (‘0 = Strongly disagree’ to ‘100 = Strongly agree’) phrased in terms of a ‘serious’ gap for common PHC workforces and services.
Results
Responses were received from 800 participants and grouped by profession (GPs/PMs/AHPs/Nurses-Midwives). AHPs (30%) identified serious gaps (M≥70) for fifteen items. Mental health services, psychology and community-based rehabilitation had the highest PHC gaps across all groups. AHPs rated speech pathology fifth highest (M=78.51), 10 ranks higher than nurses/midwives. AHPs rated three items approximately 16 scale-points higher than GPs. Differences were observed by remoteness.
Discussion
All profession groups generally agreed on the main PHC workforce/service gaps although AHPs ranked health prevention/promotion and speech pathology higher than other professional groups. AHPs rated many gaps higher than GPs though generally lower than nurses/midwives. These varied perceptions reflect different systemic views of PHC and rural variances that suggest a nuanced approach to determine PHC workforce/service needs may benefit localised planning.
Biography
Keith is an experienced health professional harnessing evidence-based approaches in a health workforce and service planning capacity with a remote and rural focus in Queensland. As a Data and Evaluation Officer for Health Workforce Queensland, he is involved in research, data analysis and reporting efforts that address pressing remote and rural health workforce needs. Primary research interests include improving health outcomes of people in remote and rural communities and First Nations Peoples. Additionally, Keith leads the evaluation of various government funded programs delivered through Health Workforce Queensland, including the national Health Workforce Scholarship Program.