scholarly journals Defining the role and scope of practice of allied health assistants within Queensland public health services

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Stute ◽  
Andrea Hurwood ◽  
Julie Hulcombe ◽  
Pim Kuipers
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Qualitative Feedback ◽  
Health Assistant ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Professional Support Staff ◽  
High Level

Background The uptake and utilisation of allied health assistants as professional support staff has been variable across disciplines and jurisdictions. Although they are potentially very important in the current health workforce context, there is little agreement on their roles or the most suitable methods to define these roles. Method Based on a review of literature, existing role descriptions and focus groups, a Delphi survey process was undertaken. This process comprising three rounds of discussion and clarification via email, with between 107 and 188 participants, was undertaken to define and establish consensus on allied health assistant roles at three levels. Results Three cycles of editing, qualitative feedback and rating of agreement with statements resulted in substantial clarification of roles and a meaningful degree of consensus regarding the role and scope of such positions. High levels of agreement were not reached for more high-level or contested clinical tasks. Conclusions The Delphi process resulted in key tasks and roles being defined and contentious aspects clearly identified. The process facilitated engagement with workforce members most closely affected by these questions. It was a useful means of drawing together the opinions of the workforce and informing implementation trials to follow. What is known about the topic? Allied health assistants are important members of health teams. Current developments in health services necessitate considerable growth in these positions. The role and scope of practice of allied health assistants is poorly defined and varies between disciplines, settings and facilities, which threatens the establishment of these positions. What does this paper add? This study describes a methodology used to define the role and scope of practice of allied health support staff, which resulted in high levels of consensus and documentation of concerns regarding these positions. Tasks and roles have been defined at different allied health assistant position levels. What are the implications for practitioners? The definition of roles and establishment of scope of practice of emerging positions can be substantially advanced by well researched and widely consultative methods. For more advanced allied health assistant positions to be effectively implemented, tasks relating to treatment, leadership, documentation, assessment and team participation must be clearly elucidated and agreed.

scholarly journals Pre-entry student clinical placement demand: can it be met?

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liza-Jane McBride ◽  
Cate Fitzgerald ◽  
Laura Morrison ◽  
Julie Hulcombe
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Clinical Education ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Clinical Placement ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Workload Management ◽  
Clinical Placements ◽  
Quality Review

Objectives The Clinical Education Workload Management Initiative (the Initiative) is a unique, multiprofessional, jurisdiction-wide approach and reform process enshrined within an industrial agreement. The Initiative enabled significant investment in allied health clinical education across Queensland public health services to address the workload associated with providing pre-entry clinical placements. This paper describes the outcomes of a quality review activity to measure the impact of the Initiative on placement capacity and workload management for five allied health professions. Data related to several key factors impacting on placement supply and demand in addition to qualitative perspectives from workforce surveys are reported. Methods Data from a range of quality review actions including collated placement activity data, and workforce and student cohort statistics were appraised. Stakeholder perspectives reported in surveys were analysed for emerging themes. Results Placement offers showed an upward trend in the context of increased university program and student numbers and in contrast with a downward trend in full-time equivalent (FTE) staff numbers. Initiative-funded positions were identified as a major factor in individual practitioners taking more students, and staff and managers valued the Initiative-funded positions’ support before and during placements, in the coordination of placements, and in building partnerships with universities. Conclusions The Initiative enabled a co-ordinated response to meeting placement demand and enhanced collaborations between the health and education sectors. Sustaining pre-entry student placement provision remains a challenge for the future. What is known about the topic? The literature clearly identifies factors impacting on increasing demand for clinical placements and a range of strategies to increase clinical placement capacity. However, reported initiatives have mostly been ad hoc or reactive responses, often isolated within services or professions. What does this paper add? This paper describes implementation of a clinical placement capacity building initiative within public sector health services developed from a unique opportunity to provide funding through an industrial agreement. The Initiative aimed to address the workload associated with clinical education of pre-entry students and new graduates. What are the implications for practitioners? This paper demonstrates that systematic commitment to, and funding of, clinical education across a jurisdiction’s public health services is able to increase placement capacity, even when staffing numbers are in decline.

Advanced allied health assistants: an emerging workforce

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Pearce ◽  
Leanne Pagett
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Clinical Experience ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Australian Capital Territory ◽  
Competency Development ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Career Structure

Objective Nationally and internationally there is work underway to continue to advance the scope of practice of allied health assistants (AHA). The advanced role requires additional training and competency development, as well as significant clinical experience. To build on the evidence relating to advanced scope AHAs, ACT Health undertook a project to explore the potential for the development of the local AHA workforce. This paper provides an overview of the project. Methods The potential for advanced AHAs in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was assessed using literature reviews, consultation with other services working with advanced AHAs and interviews with local allied health managers and assistants. Results A role for advanced AHAs within the ACT workforce was recommended, along with the need to further develop the AHA governance structure and AHA training packages and to undertake more research into the AHA workforce. Conclusion AHAs make a positive contribution to the delivery of effective, responsive, consumer-focused healthcare. The advanced AHA role provides further opportunities to enhance the flexibility of allied health services while also providing a career structure for this growing workforce.

An Analysis of Users’ Perceptions on Health Facilities in Mumbai

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiral Sheth
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Policy Objective ◽  
Private Health Sector ◽  
The Government ◽  
High Level

The new challenges of globalisation have made it essential to achieve and sustain a high level of efficiency in the provision of healthcare. Even though the Government of Maharashtra clearly views assuring efficiency and providing public health services to the people as an important policy objective, data reveals that the amount of resources spent on public healthcare especially public hospitals is very meagre as compared to the needs of the population. This study attempts to understand the shift from public to the private health sector by the users of health services in the city of Mumbai. This changing trend towards increasing use of private hospitals for healthcare services was analysed to understand the specific reasons behind the privatisation of health services in this metropolitan city. Using primary survey, the analysis revealed that majority of the users preferred private hospital services due to various reasons like cleanliness, better infrastructure, efficient and competent doctors and other staff. The results also indicated significant inefficiencies in the functioning of the public hospitals as noted from the responses of the users.

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 Gambaran Spasial Diare untuk Upaya Sistem Kewaspadaan Dini Kota Tangerang

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 154
Author(s):  
Yunita Yunita
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Analysis ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Clean Water ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Public Facilities ◽  
High Population Growth ◽  
Urbanization Rate ◽  
High Level ◽  
Spatial Analysis Method

Kota Tangerang berkembang cepat dengan angka pertumbuhan (1,94%) dan tingkat urbanisas yang tinggi serta angka kejadian diare setiap tahun yang tinggi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat kerawanan diare berdasarkan faktor fasilitas air bersih yang tersedia, rumah tangga sehat dan berperilaku hidup bersih dan sehat (PHBS), tempat umum dan pengelolaan makanan (TPUM) yang sehat, kepadatan penduduk, dan cakupan pelayanan kesehatan. Kerentanan diare dinyatakan dalam kategori tinggi, sedang, dan rendah. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode analisis spasial yang merupakan analisis berdasarkan wilayah kecamatan. Secara umum, status kerentanan diare pada wilayah kecamatan di Kota Tangerang yang berada pada kategori rendah adalah Kecamatan Tangerang dan Larangan dan yang berstatus kerentanan tinggi adalah Cipondoh, Karawaci, dan Cibodas. Kecamatan lainnya berada pada status kerentanan sedang. Diharapkan pada masa mendatang, tingkat kebersihan, cakupan air bersih dan cakupan sarana pelayanan kesehatan akan lebih merata dan memadai, sehingga kasus diare di Kota Tangerang dapat ditekan.Kata kunci: Kerawanan diare, analisis spasialAbstractTangerang City is a developing township with high population growth (1.94%) and has high urbanization rate as well. The cases of diarrhea in Tangerang City were quite high. The objective of this study was to measure the diarhea susceptibility level based on the availability of clean water, the percentage of healthy household, the percentage of community personal hygiene, healthy public facilities and food vendors, and the coverage of public health services. The diarrhea susceptibility was catagorized into three levels that is high, moderate, and low. This study employs spatial analysis method based on sub-district level. Sub-districts with low level of diarhea susceptibility were Tangerang and Larangan, while sub-districts with high level of susceptibility were Cipondoh, Karawaci, and Cibodas. Others were in moderate level of diarrhea susceptibility. In the future, it is expected that Tangerang City could increase the availability of clean water facilities, percentage of healthy household, and more equally distributed health services as to prevent diarrhea.Keywords: Diarrhea susceptibility, spatial analysis

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