Abstract
ObjectiveLinking enrolment and professional placement data for students' from 2 universities, this study compares characteristics across universities and health disciplines. The study explores associations between students' location of origin and frequency, duration and type of placements.DesignRetrospective cohort data linkage.SettingTwo Australian universities, Monash University and the University of Newcastle.ParticipantsStudents who completed medical radiation science, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy or physiotherapy at either university between 2 February 2017 and 28 February 2018.InterventionsLocation of origin, university and discipline of enrolment.Main outcome measure(s)Main measures were whether graduates had multiple rural placements, number of rural placements and cumulative rural placement days. Location of origin, discipline and university of enrolment were the main explanatory variables. Secondary dependent variables were age, sex, socio‐economic indices for location of origin, and available placements.ResultsA total of 1,315 students were included, of which 22.1% were of rural origin. The odds of rural origin students undertaking a rural placement was more than 4.5 times greater than for urban origin students. A higher proportion of rural origin students had multiple rural placement (56.0% vs 14.9%), with a higher mean number of rural placement days. Public hospitals were the most common placement type, with fewer in primary care, mental health or aged care.ConclusionsThere is a positive association between rural origin and rural placements in nursing and allied health. To help strengthen recruitment and retention of graduates this association could be further exploited, while being inclusive of non‐rural students
Highlights
Extensive literature has called attention to the inequitable distribution of the health workforce across Australia
Rural and remote placements are supported through the network of rural-b ased University Departments of Rural Health (UDRHs) and Rural Clinical Schools, which are funded under Australian Government's Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) Program.[3]
The median number of placements undertaken by students and median number of days of placement over the duration of their studies are shown. Both varied between disciplines and universities and ‘Median placement days’ was taken as a proxy estimate of total available days of student placement according to curriculum requirements
Summary
Extensive literature has called attention to the inequitable distribution of the health workforce across Australia. Combined, nursing and midwifery make up 57% of nationally registered health professionals and dental and allied health professions (including pharmacy) constitute a further 26%, the remaining 17% being generalist and specialist medical practitioners.1,p.282. It is important to address the apparent gap in the literature by developing a greater understanding of factors that influence nursing and allied health practitioners to take up positions in rural, regional and remote locations. A focus on rural placement opportunities for all health professional students in Australia has been a key strategy for building a sustainable and high-quality multidisciplinary rural health workforce.[2] University students enrolled in health professional degrees, many of who are based at metropolitan universities, undertake rural professional placements with varying levels of support through their ‘parent’ university. Rural and remote placements are supported through the network of rural-b ased University Departments of Rural Health (UDRHs) and Rural Clinical Schools, which are funded under Australian Government's Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) Program.[3]
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