scholarly journals Evaluation of the research capacity and culture of allied health professionals in a large regional public health service

2019 ◽  
Vol Volume 12 ◽  
pp. 83-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Matus ◽  
Rachel Wenke ◽  
Ian Hughes ◽  
Sharon Mickan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Public Health Service ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Regional Public Health

Gambling issues for Tongan people in Auckland, Aotearoa-New Zealand

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sione Tu'itahi ◽  
Yvette Guttenbeil-Po'uhila ◽  
Jennifer Hand ◽  
Tin Htay
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Public Health Service ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Regional Public Health ◽  
Future Plans

This paper focuses on a research project on gambling issues within the Tongan community in Auckland, New Zealand that was conducted by the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS). It outlines the background and rationale for the research, progress as of the time of writing, preliminary findings, and future plans.

Effectiveness of clinical supervision of physiotherapists: a survey

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 190 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Snowdon ◽  
Geraldine Millard ◽  
Nicholas F. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Clinical Supervision ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Public Health Service ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Publicly Funded ◽  
Importance Value ◽  
Physiotherapy Department

Objectives Limited literature exists on the practice of clinical supervision (CS) of professional physiotherapists despite current Australian safety and quality health standards stating that CS is to be provided to all physiotherapists. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of CS of physiotherapists working in an Australian public health service. Methods CS was measured using the allied health-specific 26-item modified Manchester Clinical Supervision Scale (MCSS-26). Subscales of the MCSS-26 were summed for three domain scores (normative, restorative and formative) and a total score was calculated, which was compared with the reported threshold score of 73 for effective supervision. Sixty registered physiotherapists (response rate 92%), working for a large metropolitan public health service, with six different site locations, completed the survey. Results The mean (± s.d.) total MCSS-26 score was 71.0 ± 14.3 (95% confidence interval (CI) 67.4–74.6). Hospital site was the only variable that had a significant effect on total MCSS-26 score (P = 0.005); there was no effect for supervisor or supervisee experience, or hospital setting (acute vs subacute). Physiotherapists scored a significantly lower mean percentage MCSS-26 score on the normative domain compared with the restorative domain (mean difference 7.8%; 95% CI 2.9–12.7; P = 0.002) and the formative domain (mean difference 9.6%; 95% CI 6.3–13.0; P < 0.001). Of the two subscales that form the normative domain, ‘finding time’ had a significantly lower mean percentage MCSS-26 score than ‘importance/value of CS’ (mean difference 35.4%; 95% CI 31.3–39.4; P < 0.001). Conclusions Within this publicly funded physiotherapy department there was uncertainty about the effectiveness of CS, with more than half the physiotherapists rating their supervision as less than effective, suggesting there is opportunity for improvement in the practice of physiotherapy CS. Physiotherapists scored lowest in the normative domain, indicating that they found it difficult to find time for CS. What is known about the topic? Previous research into CS for allied health professionals has shown that, on average, it is effective. However, these results cannot be generalised to specific allied health disciplines. Currently, the effectiveness of CS for physiotherapists is unknown. What does this paper add? This study is the first to investigate the effectiveness of CS in a large physiotherapy department of a publicly funded Australian healthcare service. What are the implications for practitioners? Requiring all physiotherapists to receive CS may not be useful if supervision is not effective. Finding time for CS appears to be the main barrier to effective CS. Focus should be directed towards developing a framework within which to practice CS that includes protected time for participation in CS.

scholarly journals Context Matters: Findings from a Qualitative Study Exploring Service and Place Factors Influencing the Recruitment and Retention of Allied Health Professionals in Rural Australian Public Health Services

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 5815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Cosgrave
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Recruitment And Retention ◽  
Public Sector Health

Chronic health workforce shortages significantly contribute to unmet health care needs in rural and remote communities. Of particular and growing concern are shortages of allied health professionals (AHPs). This study explored the contextual factors impacting the recruitment and retention of AHPs in rural Australia. A qualitative approach using a constructivist-interpretivist methodology was taken. Semi-structured interviews (n = 74) with executive staff, allied health (AH) managers and newly recruited AHPs working in two rural public health services in Victoria, Australia were conducted. Data was coded and categorised inductively and analysed thematically. The findings suggest that to support a stable and sustainable AH workforce, rural public sector health services need to be more efficient, strategic and visionary. This means ensuring that policies and procedures are equitable and accessible, processes are effective, and action is taken to develop local programs, opportunities and supports that allow AH staff to thrive and grow in place at all grade levels and life stages. This study reinforces the need for a whole-of-community approach to effectively support individual AH workers and their family members in adjusting to a new place and developing a sense of belonging in place. The recommendations arising from this study are likely to have utility for other high-income countries, particularly in guiding AH recruitment and retention strategies in rural public sector health services. Recommendations relating to community/place will likely benefit broader rural health workforce initiatives.

scholarly journals The Queensland Health Ministerial Taskforce on health practitioners’ expanded scope of practice: consultation findings

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gretchen Young ◽  
Julie Hulcombe ◽  
Andrea Hurwood ◽  
Susan Nancarrow
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Health Service Provision ◽  
Stakeholder Consultation ◽  
Queensland Health ◽  
High Level

Objective Queensland Health established a Ministerial Taskforce to consult on and make recommendations for the expansion of the scope of practice of allied health roles. This paper describes the findings from the stakeholder consultation. Methods The Ministerial Taskforce was chaired by the Assistant Minister for Health and included high-level representation from allied health, nursing, medicine, unions, consumers and universities. Widespread engagement was undertaken with stakeholders representing staff from a wide cross-section of health service provision, training and unions. Participants also tendered evidence of models incorporating full-scope and extended scope tasks undertaken by allied health professionals. Results The consultation incorporated 444 written submissions and verbal feedback from over 200 participants. The findings suggest that full scope of practice is often restricted within the Queensland public health system, resulting in underuse of allied health capacity and workforce inefficiencies. However, numerous opportunities exist to enhance patient care by extending current roles, including prescribing and administering medications, requesting investigations, conducting procedures and reporting results. The support needed to realise these opportunities includes: designing patient-centred models of service delivery (including better hours of operation and delegation to support staff); leadership and culture change; funding incentives; appropriate education and training; and clarifying responsibility, accountability and liability for outcomes. The taskforce developed a series of recommendations and an implementation strategy to operationalise the changes. Conclusions The Ministerial Taskforce was an effective and efficient process for capturing broad-based engagement for workforce change while ensuring high-level support and involving potential adversaries in the decision-making processes. What is known about the topic? Anecdotal evidence exists to suggest that allied health professionals do not work to their full scope of practice and there is potential to enhance health service efficiencies by ensuring practitioners are supported to work to their full scope of practice. What does this paper add? This paper presents the findings from a large-scale consultation, endorsed by the highest level of state government, that reinforces the perceptions that allied health professionals do not work to full scope of practice, identifies several barriers to working to full scope and extended scope of practice, and opportunities for workforce efficiencies arising from expanding scope of practice. The top-down engagement process should expedite the implementation of workforce change. What are the implications for practitioners? High-level engagement and support is an effective and efficient way to broker change and overcome intraprofessional barriers to workforce change policies. However, practitioners are often prevented from expanding their roles through an implied need to ‘ask for permission’, when, in fact, the only barriers to extending their role are culture and historical practice.

scholarly journals Building Allied Health Research Capacity at a Regional Australian Hospital: A Follow-up Study.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tilley Pain ◽  
Michelle Petersen ◽  
Malindu Fernando
Keyword(s):  
Capacity Building ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Research Profile

Purpose This study determined if research experience increased among allied health professionals (AHPs) at a regional tertiary hospital following a research capacity building initiative. Methods A cross sectional electronic survey was used to collect data from allied health professionals on their research experience, research support needs, enablers and barriers to research and their perceptions regarding benefits of research. A baseline survey was conducted in 2011 which was compared to a follow up survey in 2015. Comparison of variables between the two surveys used Chi squared tests. Results The response rate for the 2011 survey was 43% (n=248) while the 2015 survey achieved a 37% response rate (n=234). There was a significant increase in allied health professionals research experience as well as need for research support between the 2011 and 2015 surveys in many (but not all) activities on the research continuum. Time availability was the greatest barrier and the perceived benefit of research was to improve clinical care. Conclusions This study demonstrates a significant increase in allied health professionals research experience over the four years of capacity building. However, the increase has not reached the level where it is recorded by traditional research outcome measures such as publication. The greatest barrier to allied health professionals conducting research is time. Therefore, investment in clinician-researcher career pathways may increase research capacity of allied health practitioners to increase publication output. The implication of this research is that allied professionals’ research profile is unlikely to increase without significant input of time or resources to allow them to conduct research.

Identification, management and care of refugee patients at a metropolitan public health service: a healthcare worker perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 338
Author(s):  
Anna Novak ◽  
Danielle Hitch ◽  
Lyn Bongiovanni ◽  
Angela Mucic
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Healthcare Worker ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Public Health Service ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Negative Effects

ObjectiveTo describe the perceptions of healthcare workers employed at a metropolitan public health service, with respect to how they identify, manage and care for refugee patients. MethodsThis study surveyed healthcare workers using a cross-sectional, mixed methods descriptive design, which partially replicates a previous Australian study. A total of 215 responses to a brief online survey were received (n=48 medical, n=100 nursing and midwifery, n=50 allied health, n=4 other). ResultsNurses and allied health respondents were more likely to record working with refugees rarely or never (P=0.00). Most respondents (70.3%) identified no negative effects from working with refugees, and perceived this patient group enhanced (71.3%) their work. Insufficient identification, interpreter availability, education, healthcare worker capacity and providing culturally specific treatment were all identified as potential service barriers. Allied health respondents were more likely to report low confidence about working with refugees in general (P=0.04). Respondents with more than 10 years’ experience with refugees (P=0.02), and those with good self-perceived awareness of community services (P=0.01), were more confident in their ability to manage social issues. ConclusionsThis study suggests that contextual factors influence the perceptions of healthcare workers who provide care to refugee patients; however, communication, health literacy and healthcare worker capacity were consistently raised as key issues when working with refugees. What is known about the topic?Refugee and asylum seeker patients may present with complex health needs to any part of the Australian health system. The majority of previous research has occurred in primary care settings. What does this paper add?This study adds an acute and subacute perspective to the evidence base, and also includes medical respondents for the first time. Compared to previous research, respondents of this study saw refugee patients more frequently in their practice, and also reported fewer negative effects from working with them. Most demographic characteristics had no significant effect on worker-reported confidence in this study; however, greater experience of working with refugees and good self-perceived awareness of community services were both identified as positive influences. What are the implications for practitioners?Practitioners should prioritise remedying barriers that are consistently identified as affecting the service provided to refugee patients (communication, health literacy and healthcare worker capacity) as part of their quality and service improvement efforts.

Effective clinical supervision for regional allied health professionals: the supervisor’s perspective

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Dawson ◽  
Bev Phillips ◽  
Sandra G. Leggat
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Clinical Supervision ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Regional Health ◽  
Questionnaire Response ◽  
Allied Health Professionals

Objective. To explore the effectiveness of the current clinical supervision (CS) processes for allied health professionals (AHPs) at a regional health service from the perspective of the supervisor. Method. A mixed method study with two phases, involving AHPs across nine disciplines, employed at a regional health service and providing CS. In the first phase 14 supervisors participated in focus groups which were followed by the completion of a questionnaire by 26 supervisors. Results. Focus group results indicated confusion between CS, line and performance management and mentoring. Clinical supervision was perceived to contribute to the quality of patient care and reflective practice. The challenges of time for busy clinical staff were reported. The questionnaire response rate was 52.1% and the mean total score for the questionnaire was 162.96 (s.d. 13.47), being 76% of the maximum possible total score. Clinical supervision was considered to improve care quality despite the avoidance of addressing personal issues. Identified CS improvements included empowerment through education, resources development, streamlined documentation and use of best practice protocols. Conclusions. The results identified AHP supervisors’ perceptions of CS and possible improvements to CS processes, including differentiating CS from line management, protecting CS time and the provision of critical feedback. What is known about the topic? There are limited published reports about CS for AHPs, with AHP supervisor experience and knowledge not previously reported. What does the paper add? This is the first study to identify current supervisor understanding and practice of CS for AHPs. What are the implications for practitioners? CS is a valued activity, the effectiveness of which may be supported by education and resources.

Computerization of regional public health service administration

1999 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 206-210
Author(s):  
R. A. Khal'fin ◽  
T. N. Gribanova
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Public Health Service ◽  
Regional Public Health
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