The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

The physio will see you now. Why health workers need to broaden their roles to fix the workforce crisis

  • Written by Henry Cutler, Professor and Director, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University
The physio will see you now. Why health workers need to broaden their roles to fix the workforce crisis

This article is part of The Conversation’s series looking at Labor’s jobs summit. Read the other articles in the series here[1].

The greatest workforce challenge Australia faces is in health, an issue that will likely be with us for another decade.

Shortages of health workers reduce access to care, increase waiting times and reduce patient safety. They can even increase avoidable deaths[2].

However, we don’t need the upcoming Jobs and Skills Summit[3] to solve this problem. There is already low-hanging fruit to pick.

We need to broaden the scope of practice for some health workers, engage in better workforce planning, and reform how existing and new resources are deployed.

Read more: General practices are struggling. Here are 5 lessons from overseas to reform the funding system[4]

Health workers burnt out and leaving

Burnt-out health workers[5] leaving the workforce are a key driver of a rise in job vacancies[6] across Australia.

While much of this is due to the unprecedented nature of COVID, Australia has had problems staffing its health-care system for years[7]. The workforce shortage is particularly acute in rural and remote regions.

The natural response is to throw money at the problem but the Australian government has little spare cash. Its budget deficit is projected to be more than A$800 billion[8] by 2025-26. State governments are also cash-strapped.

More immigration of skilled health workers may also have limited success. Australia will be competing with countries including New Zealand, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, which are looking to fill their own health worker shortages[9].

Read more: Despite what political leaders say, New Zealand's health workforce is in crisis – but it's the same everywhere else[10]

Health workers could take on more roles

Health worker registration, along with standards and protocols, are essential for ensuring safe and effective care. However, this also stops health workers taking on new roles typically performed by others.

The potential for broadening health workers’ roles has been discussed for more than two decades[11]. There has been some progress. Pharmacists now administer some vaccines, which was traditionally the domain of GPs and nurses.

Pharmacist giving vaccine in upper arm of seated female customer
Pharmacists now give some vaccines, once the domain of GPs and nurses. Victor Joly/Shutterstock[12]

A broader scope of practice for some health workers can increase[13] people’s access to care, create more job satisfaction for the health worker, and lead to more efficient health care. It could also help the health-care system respond better and quicker to future pandemics or large-scale reform.

Overall, peak organisations and specialist colleges have effectively protected their turf. This may have resulted in more expensive care[14] for the public and the government because it has stopped less-costly health workers from delivering care.

We are now faced with a more serious problem. A broader scope of practice for some health workers is needed to secure timely access to care. That stronger message will help government bash through future turf wars.

Read more: How rivalries between doctors and pharmacists turned into the 'turf war' we see today[15]

New roles for paramedics, pharmacists, physios

Health workers in other countries are becoming more flexible in the scope of tasks they perform.

The UK’s National Health Service has[16] “extended roles”, such as nurses being more involved in managing chronic diseases. There are also “advanced roles”, which require a master’s degree in advanced practice. One example is allowing advanced nurse practitioners to manage people with mental health issues in the community, under the guidance of a psychiatrist.

Australia is also starting to think differently. The ten-year National Medical Workforce Strategy[17] released in 2021 seeks to re-balance from sub-specialisation to a more generalist workforce to improve access to care. The hope is to create more GPs and specialists with additional skills, such as emergency care, and other select specialist skills.

There are opportunities to expand the roles of paramedics, especially in rural and remote regions without enough GPs and nurses.

Paramedics have evolved[18] from delivering emergency care to managing chronic disease, mental health and social care. Additional paramedic education to understand diagnostic tests, prescribe some medicines and deliver wound care could increase patients’ access to health care.

Physiotherapists could be the first point of contact[19] for musculoskeletal conditions. They could give steroid injections and refer patients to orthopaedic specialists.

Pharmacists could also take a greater role, administering medicines over the counter rather than requiring a prescription from GPs.

Sexual health is one area. Allowing women to access the oral contraceptive pill without a prescription would be cost effective[20] with minimal risk. Viagra requires a prescription in Australia but is sold over the counter in the UK[21].

How do we fund this?

Any health workforce reform to address shortages must ensure quality and safety are maintained and provide at least as good an experience to patients compared to current practice.

It must also be accompanied by supportive funding models.

Nurse practitioners provide a good example. They were introduced in Australia in 1998[22] to fill doctor shortages, allowing registered nurses with additional education to diagnose, perform procedures and prescribe drugs – within tightly defined parameters.

Today, most[23] nurse practitioners work in public health, particularly emergency departments.

More nurse practitioners aren’t in private practice for a number of reasons, including restricted access[24] to Medicare and pharmaceutical item numbers.

With appropriate funding models, expanding nurse practitioner roles could substantially increase access to care and reduce health-care costs[25].

Read more: Australia could do so much more with its nurse practitioners[26]

We need better planning

Health workforce shortages are an endemic, multifaceted, cross-jurisdictional problem. COVID has amplified shortages, but poor planning and limited government investment are mostly to blame.

There is an under-supply of specialists in some areas, and oversupply of specialists in others. Redistributing[27] the health workforce, from metropolitan regions to rural and remote regions, would fill some shortages.

Australia also needs another independent agency such as Health Workforce Australia. This was established[28] to support workforce reform initiatives in 2009 but abolished in 2014.

Roles of a new agency should include independently identifying workforce needs across the health-care system, helping coordinate investment in education and training, and providing evidence for broadening workforce scope, retention and reform.

What policies would we need?

The health-care system must also reform to reduce waste and redeploy valuable resources more effectively.

Digital health[29] and other technology advancements offer opportunities to improve workplace productivity, alongside reorganisation of care models.

Reducing bureaucracy and better allocating administration tasks to non-clinical staff can also create more time for clinical care.

References

  1. ^ here (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ increase avoidable deaths (qualitysafety.bmj.com)
  3. ^ Jobs and Skills Summit (treasury.gov.au)
  4. ^ General practices are struggling. Here are 5 lessons from overseas to reform the funding system (theconversation.com)
  5. ^ Burnt-out health workers (grattan.edu.au)
  6. ^ job vacancies (www.seek.com.au)
  7. ^ for years (www.aph.gov.au)
  8. ^ A$800 billion (budget.gov.au)
  9. ^ shortages (www.health.org.uk)
  10. ^ Despite what political leaders say, New Zealand's health workforce is in crisis – but it's the same everywhere else (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ more than two decades (www.pc.gov.au)
  12. ^ Victor Joly/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  13. ^ can increase (www.pc.gov.au)
  14. ^ more expensive care (www.pc.gov.au)
  15. ^ How rivalries between doctors and pharmacists turned into the 'turf war' we see today (theconversation.com)
  16. ^ has (www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk)
  17. ^ National Medical Workforce Strategy (www.health.gov.au)
  18. ^ have evolved (bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com)
  19. ^ first point of contact (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  20. ^ cost effective (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  21. ^ in the UK (www.bbc.com)
  22. ^ introduced in Australia in 1998 (www.researchgate.net)
  23. ^ most (consultations.health.gov.au)
  24. ^ restricted access (consultations.health.gov.au)
  25. ^ reduce health-care costs (www.health.gov.au)
  26. ^ Australia could do so much more with its nurse practitioners (theconversation.com)
  27. ^ Redistributing (www.health.gov.au)
  28. ^ established (www.aph.gov.au)
  29. ^ Digital health (www.oecd.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/the-physio-will-see-you-now-why-health-workers-need-to-broaden-their-roles-to-fix-the-workforce-crisis-188984

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response

The New South Wales government recently announced the launch of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, 2025–28[1]. The strategy, developed in partnership with the Australian Fashion ...

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...