Supporting an emerging workforce: characteristics of rural and remote therapy assistants in Western Australia.
OBJECTIVE
Multidisciplinary therapy assistants (TAs) are an emerging but poorly understood rural and remote allied health workforce. As an aid to planning and support of TA programs in rural and remote Western Australia (WA), the number, locality and a range of practice variables of rural and remote TAs in WA were determined.


METHODS
Survey questionnaire.


METHODS
Rural and remote regions of WA.


METHODS
Allied health professionals, TAs, TA coordinators and managers of allied health in country regions of WA.


METHODS
Information was gathered on TA location, qualifications, employing organisation, allied health disciplines TAs work with, supervision practices, role and work scenarios.


RESULTS
Ninety-eight TAs were identified in rural and remote WA with a further 23 vacant TA positions. Most TAs work across multiple allied health disciplines, half are located at a distance to their supervisors, and very few have a recognised qualification for their TA work.


CONCLUSIONS
A substantial rural and remote TA workforce was found. A range of TA characteristics were identified that have considerable relevance to the future planning of TA initiatives in rural and remote WA.
Lin
Ivan
I
Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health, Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia. ivanl@cucrh.uwa.edu.au
Goodale
Belinda
B
Villanueva
Karen
K
Spitz
Suzanne
S
D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000600:supply & distribution; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D032022:Delegation, Professional; D005544:Forecasting; D006270:Health Facility Administrators / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006285:Health Planning; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D024382:Professional Role; D019114:Remote Consultation; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014904:Western Australia; D000078329:Workforce