Allied Health Professionals as Consultants: An Exploratory Study in an Australian Context

Allied health professionals (AHPs) acting as consultants to other professionals and workers is an important emerging issue. It has received little research attention, despite this role being central to many AHP job descriptions, particularly senior positions. This exploratory qualitative study, conducted with AHPs and other key informants, examined consultancy in metropolitan, rural and remote settings in Australia. Thirty-nine professionals were interviewed in individual and focus group settings, using semi-structured questions. Analysis of data revealed roles, definitions and processes of consultancy, the influence of the context in which it occurs, and the multi-layered outcomes of consultancy. This led to the drafting of a framework noting roles and relationships of the key actors – consultant, consultee, and client. Further research is required to establish the generalisability of the framework.

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Factors that contribute to high-quality clinical supervision of the rural allied health workforce: lessons from the coalface

Australian Health Review ◽

10.1071/ah17258 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 43 (6) ◽

pp. 682 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Priya Martin ◽

Katherine Baldock ◽

Saravana Kumar ◽

Lucylynn Lizarondo

Keyword(s):

Clinical Supervision ◽

Health Workforce ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Allied Health ◽

Rural And Remote ◽

High Quality ◽

Allied Health Professionals ◽

Remote Health ◽

Rural And Remote Health

Objective The aim of this study was to identify the factors contributing to high-quality clinical supervision of the allied health workforce in rural and remote settings. Methods This quantitative study was part of a broader project that used a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design. Participants were 159 allied health professionals from two Australian states. Quantitative data were collected using an online customised survey and the Manchester Clinical Supervision Scale (MCSS-26). Data were analysed using regression analyses. Results Supervisee’s work setting and choice of supervisor were found to have a positive and significant influence on clinical supervision quality. Supervisee profession and time in work role were found to have a negative and significant influence on the quality of clinical supervision. Conclusions High-quality clinical supervision is essential to achieve quality and safety of health care, as well as to support the health workforce. Information on high-quality clinical supervision identified in this study can be applied to clinical supervision practices in rural and remote settings, and to professional support policies and training to enhance the quality of supervision. What is known about the topic? There is mounting evidence on the benefits of clinical supervision to health professionals, organisations and patients. Clinical supervision enhances recruitment and retention of the health workforce. However, there are still gaps regarding the factors that contribute to high-quality clinical supervision, especially for rural and remote health professionals. What does this paper add? This study, the first of its kind, recruited rural and remote health professionals from seven allied health disciplines across two Australian states. It investigated the factors that influence high-quality clinical supervision in this under-resourced group. This paper outlines specific factors that contribute to clinical supervision quality for rural and remote allied health professionals. What are the implications for practitioners? Effective and high-quality clinical supervision of the rural and remote allied health workforce can enhance recruitment and retention in those areas. Healthcare organisations can facilitate effective clinical supervision delivery by using the evidence gathered in this study in clinical supervision policy, training and practice.

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