Dr Alison Dymmott1, A/Prof Rachel Milte1, Prof Stacey George1, Prof Chris Brebner1, A/Prof Narelle Campbell1, Prof Paul Worley3, Cath Maloney2, Gemma Tuxworth2, Dr Jenny Cleland1, Dr Diana Khanna1
1Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia, 2Services for Australian Rural and Remote Health (SARRAH), Australia, 3Riverland Mallee Coorong Regional Local Health Network, Murray Bridge, Australia
Abstract:
Introduction:
The Allied Health Rural Generalist Education and Training Scheme (TAHRGETS) was established by Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH) building on the work of several state health services to implement an Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway. The scheme aimed to improve capacity, quality and distribution and mix of the rural and remote allied health workforce, to support allied health practitioners and workplaces to deliver rural and remote services and to develop career paths for rural and remote allied health professionals.
Methods:
A mixed methods approach was taken to measure the outcomes against the project aims. Participants included allied health professionals undertaking the pathway, supervisors, managers and TAHRGETS program team. Data was collected via interviews and surveys. Ethics approval was obtained from Flinders University.
Results:
62 allied health professionals participated in the pathway and 38 completed or are on track to complete by the end of 2025. Trainees developed generalist skills and knowledge relevant to practice and had the opportunity to implement their learnings through work-based learning activities. Funding provided to organisations covered tuition and supported organisations to release trainees to study within work hours.
Conclusions:
Allied health professionals working in private practice and non-government organisations across rural and remote Australia participated. TAHRGETS enabled organisations to support AHPs to participate in rural generalist training, receive dedicated supervision and participate service development projects. Recruitment challenges impacted on the uptake of training positions and completion rates were comparable to the public sector.