2013

Prepared by Clinical Placement

Scholarship Team

The Allied Health Clinical Placement Scholarship Scheme (AHCPSS) and

Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS)

Scholarship Completed Scholar Survey Results

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NAHSSS Allied Health Clinical Placement Scholarship Survey Report on Completed Scholars from 2009 to 2012

Executive Summary

This report examines whether the financial support provided under the Clinical Placement Scholarship

encourages allied health professionals to take up careers in rural and remote Australia. The scholarship

exists to address the uneven distribution of allied health services across Australia, which has resulted in an

over-supply of allied health professionals in cities and a shortage in many rural and remote areas. Rural

scholarships are offered to give more students an opportunity to practise in rural health care services while

studying for an allied health degree so that they may consider rural practice after graduation.

The findings indicate that the Clinical Placement Scholarship has a powerful effect on attracting more

qualified health practitioners to the bush. The research is based on telephone and online surveys of 161

scholars who completed a rural placement between 2009 and 2012. It finds that 35% of scholars are now

employed in rural and remote areas. Of those, 7% are employed in the same facility where they completed

their clinical placement and 28% are employed in other rural and remote areas.

Of the scholars surveyed:

73% intend to work in rural and remote practice in future (even if currently working in

metropolitan regions)

18% are employed in areas with the highest rating of remoteness (ASGC-RA 4)

45 are working in rural and remote areas other than where they completed their clinical

placement. These included Innisfail (Qld), Austins Ferry (Tas), Leongatha (Vic), Dubbo (NSW), Tom

Price (WA).

Some of the professions represented, included Physiotherapists (11), Radiographers (5), Dieticians

(5), Speech Pathologists (3).

54% chose to work in metropolitan areas, citing lack of incentives with rural jobs and the cost of

living away from families as two factors influencing their career choice.

Recommendation

These survey results offer strong evidence for the need for the NHASSS Clinical Placement Scholarship to

continue into the future, in order to meet Australia’s need for a more balanced distribution of allied health

professionals nationally.

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Introduction

The purpose of this report is to present whether the objectives of the Clinical Placement Scholarships have

been achieved since 2009. To assist in measuring this, a survey was designed to obtain responses from the

past scholars.

The specific objectives of the NAHSSS Clinical Placement Scholarships are to: 1. Increase the allied health workforce by facilitating the entry of jobseekers and youth interested in

pursuing a career in allied health professions; and

2. Encourage the pursuit of a health career in both geographic areas and professions where there are shortages.

An analysis was undertaken based on the data collected from completed scholars for the period from 2009

to 2012. The data forming the basis of the findings of this survey was collected using a mixed method

approach, involving two collection techniques, on a sample size of 503 (70% of the total number of

completed scholars).

The two collection techniques were:

1. Telephone interview

2. Survey Monkey.

The web-based survey (survey monkey) was intended for students with personal email contact details

whilst the telephone interview targeted students without personal email details. The on-line survey was

developed and emailed to past scholars inviting them to participate in the survey. The survey was open

from 12 March 2013 to 15 April 2013.

The survey consisted of 20 questions provided in 9 question domains which sought feedback about the

employment status and rural experiences of all those who were awarded the Clinical Placement

Scholarship.

The survey responses have been analysed and split into the following four sections.

1. Introductory data analysis.

2. The past scholars who are employed by the same clinical placement facilities where the clinical

placement was completed under the scholarship scheme.

3. The past scholars who are employed in other Australian rural and remote areas.

4. The past scholars who are employed in Metropolitan areas.

Objective of the Survey

The objective of the survey was to establish:

1. The impact on student’s intentions to undertake relevant rural practice in future.

2. The whereabouts of the scholars after completion of their rural placements funded by the Allied

Health Clinical Placement Scholarships.

3. The measurement of allied health careers pursued by scholars in both geographic areas and

professions.

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Summary of Findings:

The survey provided the following results:

Survey response rate of 32%

35% are employed in rural and remote areas:

7% are employed in the same facility where they had completed their clinical placement under the

AHCPSS/NAHSSS Scholarships.

28% are currently employed in other rural and remote areas.

40% are employed in Metropolitan areas (ASGC-RA 1).

9% are unemployed.

16% of the surveys were incomplete.

TOTAL SCHOLARS EMPLOYED IN AUSTRALIAN RURAL & REMOTE AREAS = 56 (35%)

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Section 1- Introductory Data

Completed Scholars from 2009 to 2012 (R1-R5)

Survey Sample Size Total Number of Responses Received

713 503 161 (32%) (304 through Survey Monkey;

199 phone interviews)

Yes, 73%

No, 27%

Intention to work in Rural and Remote in the Future

Yes

No

713

503

161

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Total Completed Scholars Survey Sample Size Total Number of Responses

NAHSSS Allied Health Clinical Placement Scholarship - Survey on Complete Scholars

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This flow chart provides a breakdown on the employment status of all respondents.

Total responses

161

26 incomplete responses 120 employed 15 unemployed

56 employed in rural 64 metropolitan

11 employed at the clinical placement locations

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All Scholars Employment Status

Employment by State and ASGC-RA

Employment State ASGC-RA No. of Scholars

ACT 1 3

NSW 1 22

2 13

NT 3 2

4 1

QLD 1 7 2 5

3

5 SA 1 5

2 2 3 2

TAS 2 2 3 1

VIC 1 14 2 14 3 2 4 1 WA 1 13

2 2 3 1 4 2 5 1

TOTAL 120

3

31

1

16

8

2

31

17

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

ACT NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA

No

. of

Sch

ola

rs

Clinical Placement Scholarship (Completed Scholars) - Employment by State

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Clinical Placement Scholars Employed by ASGC-RA

Section 2 – Past scholars currently employed by the same clinical

placement facilities According to the survey responses, 11 scholars are employed at the same clinical placement facility where

placements were completed under the scholarship scheme.

Employment ASGC-RA (Employed at the Placement Facility

No of Scholars

2 7

3 2

4 2

TOTAL 11

Employments Acquired at the Placement Facility by Profession and ASGC-RA

Health Professions Town State ASGC-RA

No. Of Scholars Dietician Nowra NSW 2

3

Tamworth NSW 2

Coffs Harbour NSW 2

Tiwi NT 3 1 Dietician/PhD Candidate/Associate Lecturer Rockhampton QLD 2 1 Medical Imaging Technologist Bunbury WA 2 1 Occupational Therapist Carnarvon WA 4 1 Orthoptics Port Macquarie NSW 2 1 Physiotherapist Hobart TAS 2 1 Social Worker Alice Springs NT 4 1

Berri SA 3 1

ASGC-RA: 1 53%

ASGC-RA: 2 32%

ASGC-RA:3 11%

ASGC-RA: 4 3%

ASGC-RA:5 1%

Total Number of Scholars Employed by ASGC-RA (Post-Scholarships)

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Employment by Placement Facilities

Allied Health Occupation Town State Postcode ASGC-RA Name of Employer

Social Worker Alice Springs Northern Territory

870 4 Tangentyere Council

Occupational therapist Carnarvon WA 6701 4 WA Country Health Service

Dietitian Tiwi NT 810 3 Royal Darwin Hospital

Social Worker Child Protection Berri South Australia 5343 3 Department of Education and Child Development (Families SA)

Dietitian Tamworth NSW 2340 2 Dietetics Department - Tamworth Rural referral Hospital

Dietitian Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 2 Coffs Diabetes Centre

Clinical Dietitian Nowra NSW 2541 2 ISLHD -Dietetics Department

Medical Imaging Technologist Bunbury WA 6230 2 global diagnostics

Physiotherapist Hobart Tasmania 7000 2 Royal Hobart Hospital

Orthoptics Port Macquarie

NSW 2444 2 Port Macquarie Eye Centre

Dietitian/PhD Candidate/Associate Lecturer

Rockhampton QLD 4700 2 La Trobe University

The following graph demonstrates employments by geographical areas.

ASGC-RA:2 64%

ASGC-RA:3 18%

ASGC-RA:4 18%

No of Scholars Employed at the Placement Facility by ASGC-RA

From the data above, it can be noted that the clinical placement facilities in NSW have provided greater

opportunities for employment.

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Section 3 – Past scholars in other areas

45 scholars are currently working in other Australian rural and remote areas and not at the same clinical placement facility . The table below illustrates the employment locations by allied health professions/ Town/ State/ Postcode and ASGC-RA.

Allied Health Professions Town State ASGC-RA No. of Scholars

Accredited Practising Dietician Cairns QLD 3 1

Advanced Care Paramedic II Cannonvale QLD 3 1

Audiologist Orange NSW 2 1

Cancer Support Coordinator Townsville QLD 2 1

Case Manager Innisfail QLD 3 1

Chiropractor Ballarat VIC 2 1

College Psychologist Austins Ferry TAS 2 1

Community Dietician Carnarvon WA 4 1

Dentist

Townsville QLD 2

4

Shepparton VIC 2

Coffs Harbour NSW 2

Moruya NSW 2

Dietician

Broadford VIC 2

4

Stawell VIC 2

Bendigo VIC 2

Leongatha VIC 2

Exercise Physiologist Gladstone QLD 2 1

Nuclear Medicine Technologist Dubbo NSW 2 1

Occupational Therapist

Swan Hill VIC 3 1

Southport QLD 2

3

Mt Gambier SA 2

Shepparton VIC 2

Optometrist Castlemaine VIC 2 1

Oral Health Therapist Darwin NT 3 1

Physiotherapist

Northam WA 2

5

Port Macquarie NSW 2

Bendigo VIC 2

Healesville VIC 2

Nowra NSW 2

Kirwan QLD 3

3

Horsham VIC 3

Geraldton WA 3

Moe VIC 4 1

Tom Price WA 5 1

Podiatrist Whyalla SA

3 1

Ararat VIC 2 1

Prosthetist/Orthotist Lavington NSW 2 1

Radiation Therapist Ballarat VIC 2 1

Radiographer

Bowral NSW 2

3

Mona Vale NSW 2

Mount Gambier SA 2

Social Worker Shepparton VIC 2 1

Speech Pathologist

Emerald QLD 3

2 Burnie TAS 3

Ballarat VIC 2 1

TOTAL 45

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Employments by Profession and ASGC-RA

ASGC-RA Number Scholars 2 31

3 11

4 2

5 1

TOTAL 45

ASGC-RA:1 69%

ASGC-RA:2 24%

ASGC-RA:3 5%

ASGC-RA:4 2%

Employment ASGC-RA (Not at the Clinical Placement Facilities)

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Section Four: Employment in Metropolitan Areas.

40% of the survey respondents are employed in the metropolitan areas. The following table illustrates the employment in the metropolitan areas by allied health profession, town, state and ASGC-RA.

Employment in Metropolitan areas by Profession/Town/State and ASCG-RA

Health Professions Town State ASGC-RA No. of

Scholars

Audiologist Chrisities Beach SA 1 1

Clinical Research Manager Kogarah NSW 1 1

College Psychologist Campsie NSW 1 1

Dentist Potts Point NSW 1

3

Windsor QLD 1

Brunswick VIC 1

Dietician Chermside QLD 1

8

Herston QLD 1

Balmain NSW 1

Randwick NSW 1

West Burleigh QLD 1

Melbourne VIC 1

Ringwood East VIC 1

North Perth WA 1

Dietitian & Exercise Physiologist Campbelltown NSW 1

2 Balmain NSW 1

Exercise Physiologist Sydney NSW 1

3

Frankston VIC 1

Frankston VIC 1

Health Promotion Officer- NSW Health Darlinghurst NSW 1 1

Occupational Therapist Fyshwick ACT 1

11

Hughes ACT 1

Canberra ACT 1

Brighton Le Sands

NSW 1

Gosford NSW 1

Oatley NSW 1

Toronto NSW 1

Mudgeeraba QLD 1

Midland WA 1

Mullaloo WA 1

Shenton Park WA 1

Optometrist Camberwell VIC 1

3

Melbourne VIC 1

Rockingham WA 1

Physiotherapist

St Albans VIC 1

Kogarah NSW 1

Merewether NSW 1

Petersham NSW 1

Brisbane QLD 1

Grange QLD 1

Geelong VIC 1

Melbourne suburbs

VIC 1

Fremantle WA 1

Nedlands WA 1

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Physiotherapist

North Fremantle WA 1

15

Perth WA 1

Magill SA 1

Osborne Park WA 1

Perth WA 1

Podiatrist

Penrith NSW 1

3

Bedford park SA 1

mile end SA 1

Qualified Dietician Waverley NSW 1 1

Radiation Therapist Epping VIC 1 1

Radiographer

Kograh NSW 1

4

Bedford Park SA 1 Parkville VIC 1 Fitzroy VIC 1

Radiographer and Sonographer Thomastown VIC 1 1

Social Worker Fremantle WA 1 1

Speech Pathologist

Bankstown NSW 1

4

Hornsby NSW 1

Parramatta NSW 1

Subiaco WA 1

Total 64

Conclusion The major point identified by the respondents was that the financial support provided under the Clinical Placement Scholarship was critical in encouraging students to consider rural areas for their clinical experience. The scholarship scheme takes the burden of relocation costs including loss of income from foregoing part-time employment. Rural clinical placements provide opportunities for students to create links with other health staff, local private practice and peers from other disciplines and Universities. They also offer opportunities to explore possibilities for future employment. In addition to the appreciation of financial support, an overwhelming majority of students reported that the Clinical Placement Scholarship positively impacted on their ambition to work in rural and remote areas and perceived rural practice as a viable career option. A vast majority (73%) reported that they had intentions to practice rurally in the near future. This includes those that are currently unemployed. The Clinical Placement Scholarship had a positive impact on the rural practice and rural life experiences and influenced 35% of the respondents to practice rurally. The survey result also denote that the respondents are pursuing a career in the same allied health profession in which relevant studies were completed. Even though the majority (54%) of the survey respondents are currently employed in metropolitan areas, they have good intentions to provide services in Australian rural and remote areas in the near future. The factors influencing their career choices to work in metropolitan areas include:

Family and financial commitments in the home town,

Did not find employment in rural areas after graduation,

Need to gain adequate experience by working in fast paced large public hospitals in metropolitan

areas before moving to rural jobs in the next 3-5 years,

Lack of incentives with rural jobs and

Cost of living away from families is too high.

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Prepared by the Clinical Placement Scholarship Team

Sriyani Ranasinghe Shirley Singh 18/4/13.