title: Private Practice Disability Therapy Workforce in Rural New South Wales, Australia.
abstract: Despite an increasing demand for therapy services, there is a shortage of therapists in rural areas. We describe the existing private therapy workforce in rural western New South Wales (NSW), Australia. A cross-sectional design study, using an online survey, was conducted with occupational and physiotherapists, speech pathologists, and psychologists working in private practice in western NSW. Forty-one private therapists completed the survey. The average years of qualification was 19; 51% worked part-time. Two-thirds (68%) indicated they had adequate access to professional development opportunities. Sixty-four percent reported intending to stay in their job for 12 months. Most (95%) reported high levels of job satisfaction. Respondents had worked in western NSW for a median of 17 yrs. Sixty-eight percent described opportunities for social interaction as very good. Sixty-six percent grew up in rural areas. All respondents agreed that they loved the rural lifestyle. The results portray an experienced, stable, flexible, and highly satisfied professional group. With the current changes in policies within the disability sector, it is important to maximise these features of private therapy in order to contribute to the rural workforce and increase access to the range of supports available for people with disability.
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Cumberland Campus, PO Box 175 East St., Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia. Tel +61421429472. gisselle.gallego@sydney.edu.au.
authors: Gisselle
authors: G
authors: Gallego
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Chedid
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Dew
authors: Kim
authors: K
authors: Bulkeley
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Lincoln
authors: Anita
authors: A
authors: Bundy
authors: Jennie
authors: J
authors: Brentnall
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: Veitch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011331:Private Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019035:Rural Health Services; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce