Development and Evaluation of Strategies to Support Rural Secondments for Junior Physiotherapists

Abstract

AbstractPurposeRural workforce shortages are a national issue. One strategy is the use of secondments from larger healthcare sites to staff rural sites on a rotational basis. The purpose of this evaluation is to explore the impact of the development, implementation of an educational, training and supervision package for junior Physiotherapists undertaking rural secondments in Northern NSW.Design/methodology/approachPre post evaluation of a training, education and supervision package to support junior Physiotherapists undertaking rural secondments across Northern NSW.  A baseline survey of Physiotherapists who had undertaken a secondment in the previous 12 months defined current practice and limitations. From this a targeted education, training and supervision package was developed. Post implementation surveying for a period of 12 months was undertaken to evaluate the packages implementation.FindingsStatistically significant improvements in staff reporting they felt supported and were aware of escalation processes for patients under their care were reported. Additionally improvements were seen in staff reported access to and completing competencies relevant to their secondment.Research implicationsThese findings provide guidance in regards to junior Physiotherapists working on rural secondments and the importance of structured education, training and support mechanisms.Practical implicationsThe findings from this work support the development and implementation of structured education, training and supervision plans prior to undertaking rural secondments.Originality/valueThese findings provide evidence and support the need for structured and target training, education and supervision for staff undertaking rural secondments to ensure staff are confident to work in a rural setting.LimitationsLarger response rates for post implementation survey results may result in different outcomes being reported in comparison to pre implementation results.