Community-based participatory action research to strengthen multidisciplinary education and practice

Background to the study

In Tasmania, the problems associated with public health are threefold: our health and wellbeing outcomes lag behind the rest of Australia; the current organisation and delivery of allied health services are inadequate for addressing the state’s public health challenges; and allied health education and training is insufficient to create an appropriate local health workforce. The northwest community in particular is experiencing ongoing challenges in accessing allied health care services in Devonport. This region also faces significant workforce recruitment and retention challenges along with high prevalence of chronic disease and ill-health.

In 2019 the School of Health Sciences (SHS) commenced the Allied Health Expansion Program (AHEP), to organise Allied Health (AH) workforce education and development in a way that puts public health at the center.

In 2022, the Commonwealth government agreed to support SHS’s use of Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training carry-forward funds from the 2019-2021 Fund Agreement to establish the Devonport Health Enhancement Clinic (DHEC). We anticipate the DHEC will:

1. support a multidisciplinary approach to health care provision and provide clinical activity that is currently considered a gap in the Devonport community and its surrounding areas; and
2. support clinical education and training opportunities, as a new placement model, for AH students in an interprofessional environment to enhance working relationships and workforce participation.

Research aim

To examine the strengths and challenges of incorporating the multidisciplinary approach to population health care into AH education and practice in a Tasmanian regional community.

Purpose

To develop a research partnership with the Devonport community and engage local clinicians, UTAS AH academics and students to investigate how to strengthen the multidisciplinary approach to population health care, foster empowerment, promote meaningful social change and strengthen capacity in AH education and practice in Tasmania.

Ethics

This study has been approved by the University of Tasmania Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (H0028797).

Objectives

1. Identify general characteristics, the underpinning models of practice, experiences and outcomes of establishing allied health student-assisted clinics.
2. Effectively engage with the Devonport community, its leaders, allied health professionals and other stakeholders through the framework of participatory action research (PAR) to assess and respond to local health and social well-being needs.
3. Effectively engage with AH academics and students through the framework of PAR to devise evidence-based multidisciplinary and community-based learning that promotes population health.

Expected Outcomes

There are important study benefits at the individual, community, university and student levels.

1. Individual level - the Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) approach can be empowering by including individuals in all aspects of the research process and having their voices represented in AH health service delivery and education discussions;
2. Community level - the study may help to create momentum and opportunities for social change towards strengthening multidisciplinary population health service delivery;
3. University level - the study will inform the ongoing development of multidisciplinary, community based, population health learning curriculum and work integrated learning experiences;
4. Student level - the study will inform the development of codesigned positive and engaging AH educational initiatives.

Download the Information Sheet and Consent form (Word 184KB)

Register

Register your interest in participating by emailing:  Allied.Health.Expansion.SHS@utas.edu.au

Contact

If you’re unsure if you meet the requirements, call or email:

Dr Lisa Dalton, Chief Investigator
Email: Lisa.Dalton@utas.edu.au
Phone: 03 63243734