Dr Heather Block1, Dr Ali Dymmott1, Dr Oluwatomilayo Omoya1, Ms Casey Franchi2, Dr Olivia Farrer1, Ms Kirsty Rawlings3, Prof Stacey George1
1Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia, 2Chandlers Hill Surgery, Chandlers Hill, Australia, 3Adelaide Primary Health Network, Adelaide, Australia
Biography:
Dr Block’s research focuses on enhancing people to live well and receive better care through health systems. She has expertise in healthy ageing initiatives enhanced through prevention, support and care. She conducts applied, translational research in partnership with health services with a focus on implementation science. Dr Block is an occupational therapist experienced in working with adults with neurological conditions, ageing, dementia, frailty and rehabilitation. Her research focusses on equitable and efficient multidisciplinary primary care services, ageing in place, and proactive healthy ageing programs addressing chronic conditions and social needs to support quality of life of ageing adults.
Background:
Australian Government primary care reforms aim to increase access to multidisciplinary team care including nursing and allied health professionals. There is a need to explore current practices, gaps and opportunities for multidisciplinary team care in primary care settings for healthy ageing, and to inform recommendations to optimise the multidisciplinary primary care workforce.
Methods:
This mixed methods study involved a national survey and focus groups with nursing and allied health professionals working with adults aged 40 years and above in primary care settings in Australia. Snowballed survey was disseminated between August 2024-January 2025. A subset of survey respondents was recruited for focus groups for deeper exploration of barriers, enablers and future opportunities. Quantitative data were analysed with descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis.
Results:
Survey respondents (n=263) were predominantly occupational therapists (31.4%), nurses (30.9%) and physiotherapists (13%). Referrals were predominantly received from GPs (59%), however 57.7% infrequently collaborate with general practitioners, and feel GPs have a limited understanding of their role (30.1%). Most respondents (15.2%) had worked in primary care for 20-29 years, with 24.2% intending to stay in their role in primary care for the next 1-5 years. Focus groups are scheduled for April 2025 with findings to be presented.
Conclusion:
Gaps exist in the integration of multidisciplinary teams within primary care in Australia. Findings are contextual and workforce challenges require Commonwealth policy and funding models to optimise allied health and nursing to be embedded in primary care, and to work effectively with general practices.