The Australian and New Zealand dialysis workforce study in the international context.
BACKGROUND
Given increasing demand for renal replacement therapy, this study sought to identify of key workforce issues facing dialysis units, based on a "snapshot" of the current workforce.


METHODS
A web-based survey of all dialysis unit managers in Australia and New Zealand, in October 2008, about their workforce.


RESULTS
A significant minority of dialysis staff in most regions were not registered nurses. Many renal registered nurses worked part-time. Staff/patient ratios in dialysis units varied significantly by region, reflecting the relative prevalence of home therapies. Most dialysis units were generally adequately staffed. The proportion of registered nurses with specific renal qualifications varied significantly by region.


CONCLUSIONS
The changing character of the workforce in the dialysis unit in the future will require clarification of the relationships between different categories of dialysis staff. Specialty education for nurses needs to be oriented to equipping staff to be effective in their changing work environment.
Polaschek
Nick
N
Sector Capability and Innovation Directorate, Ministry of Health, New Zealand. Nick_Polaschek@moh.govt.nz
Bennett
Paul N
PN
McNeill
Liz
L
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005544:Forecasting; D014943:Global Health; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006437:Hemodialysis, Home / Q000451:nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008008:Licensure, Nursing; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000523:psychology; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000458:organization & administration; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000451:nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data