What does it mean to be an allied health professional working in rural Aotearoa New Zealand? A qualitative study.

Autor: Walker SM; Centre for Health Activity and Rehabilitation Research, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.; Dunstan Hospital, Central Otago Health Services Limited, Clyde, New Zealand., Blattner K; Department of General Practice and Rural Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.; Rawene Hospital, Hauora Hokianga, Rawene, New Zealand., Nixon G; Dunstan Hospital, Central Otago Health Services Limited, Clyde, New Zealand.; Department of General Practice and Rural Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand., Koroheke Rogers M; Department of General Practice and Rural Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.; Rawene Hospital, Hauora Hokianga, Rawene, New Zealand.; Hokianga, Rawene, New Zealand., Kennedy E; Centre for Health Activity and Rehabilitation Research, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: The Australian journal of rural health [Aust J Rural Health] 2024 Feb; Vol. 32 (1), pp. 53-66. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Nov 14.
DOI: 10.1111/ajr.13061
Abstrakt: Objective: Building health services and workforce that are both well supported and fit for purpose is a key consideration for improving health outcomes in rural populations. Achieving this requires an understanding of the roles and practice characteristic of each professional group, including allied health professionals. This study explores what it means to be an allied health professional practicing in rural Aotearoa New Zealand.
Design: A qualitative study design was used, involving individual semi-structured interviews with 13 rural allied health professionals in the Otago and Northland regions. The interviews explored participants journey into rural practice, their experiences working rurally, and their views on rural practice.
Findings: Four main themes were derived: Identity; Connectedness; Expectations; and Providing Care.
Discussion: Proud of being rural, these allied health professionals are immersed within their community, intertwining their professional and personal identities. The unique nature of this dual identity while empowering for some, can also isolate rural allied health professionals from their professional bodies and urban peers. This leads to a sense of vulnerability and feeling undervalued and invisible. In response, rural allied health professionals choose to form strong connections to their local interprofessional team and their community. The connections they forge, and the breadth of their skills cumulate to enable allied health professionals to provide dynamic and responsive health services for their rural communities.
Conclusion: This study provides the first insight into experiences and perspectives of allied health professionals within rural Aotearoa New Zealand. Despite the challenges, a sense of pride is associated with practicing rurally for allied health professionals.
(© 2023 The Authors. Australian Journal of Rural Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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