Dr Maria Schwarz1,2, Prof Liz Ward1,2, Dr Kelli Hancock3, Ms Juanine Passfield4, Ms Liza-Jane McBride4
1Centre For Functioning and Health Research, Brisbane, Australia, 2School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 3Speech Pathology Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, MSHHS, Brisbane, Australia, 4Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Australia
Abstract:
Background (topic nature, scope and issue under consideration):
Employing allied health (AH) students as part of the health workforce has the potential to improve access and efficiency of services and support the AH workforce pipeline. A non-recurrent co-payment incentive was introduced in the 23/24 and 24/25 financial year to incentivise health services to employ AH students currently undertaking pre-entry university education using a dedicated student level employment classification structure. As this scheme offers unique opportunities to improve workforce supply, work readiness and improved access to AH services, a thorough understanding of current state, scale and perceptions of implementation is required.
Purpose:
The study aims to understand (a) the extent of implementation across Queensland Health, (b) how this student workforce is utilised and any support requirements, (c) perceptions by relevant stakeholder groups regarding the barriers and facilitators to employing this student workforce, and (d) how the student employment experience influences work readiness, career planning and future employment.
Method:
A mixed methods study conducted in three components (i) stakeholder surveys of managers, supervisors, AH students employed in QH and university representatives, (ii) stakeholder semi-structured focus groups and (iii) longitudinal workforce activity and outcome monitoring will be utilised.
Proposed outcomes and conclusions:
In 2024 AH student workforce metrics indicate approximately 10 Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) with active AH student employment and a total of 140 current employees. Preliminary findings on stakeholder perceptions of the benefits, barriers and facilitators to the student employment model will be presented.