Prof. Carol McKinstry1, Lisa Hanson1, Libby Semmons1
1La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia
Biography:
Carol McKinstry is Professor of Occupational Therapy and Deputy Dean of the La Trobe University’s Rural Health School. She is Chair of Academic Board at La Trobe University and lead of the Workforce Stream in the Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research. She is also Deputy Chair of Bendigo Health Board and a Board Director of Occupational Therapy Australia.
Abstract:
With continued rural allied health workforce shortages, one strategy to build a sustainable workforce is the ‘grow your own’ or ‘pipeline’ approach. This aim of this longitudinal study was to determine the effectiveness of a pipeline approach used by a university with regional/rural campuses, in producing graduates for rural practice. Strategies have included recruiting students of rural origin, having rural place-based education and quality rural placement or professional education experiences. Data from various datasets has been analysed including university student enrolment demographics such as place of residence, socioeconomic status, gender and age, university placement location information and AHPRA registration practice location for August 2024. Health disciplines included occupational therapy, physiotherapy, paramedicine and pharmacy. Results indicate that the strategies are effective in producing a rural workforce. For example, in 2024, 80% of students enrolled in allied health courses were from a rural origin. Nearly all allied health student placements were based in regional or rural health or human services. For occupational therapy, of the 352 registered occupational therapists in August 2024 who have graduated since 2012, 44% are practicing in MM2 areas, 14% in MM3, 10% in MM4, 8% in MM5 and 1% in MM6. With plans to grow allied health enrolments, other strategies employed include rural and Indigenous specific course codes, reducing the course pre-requisites, increased support to mature-aged students, and enabling pathways such as a diploma of rural health. Data collection will occur again in 2029 to determine whether these graduates have remained in rural practice.