Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway

The Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway (AHRGP) is a workforce development initiative that combines a formal education program with local support systems to support the development of clinical and non-clinical rural generalist specialist skills in early career allied health professionals (AHPs).

It provides an opportunity for the development of rural generalist knowledge and capabilities to help better meet the needs of consumers and improve workforce retention in rural areas.

An Allied Health Rural Generalist practitioner responds to the broad range of healthcare needs of a rural or remote community with a wide range of clinical presentations (working to the full scope of their profession, and often working to extended or advanced scope of practice).

A rural generalist is not a generic allied health worker. Rural generalists practice under the regulatory instruments relevant to the individual’s specific allied health profession and the policies of their employer.

Allied Health Professionals based in regional Local Health Networks (LHNs) can access the Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway (AHRGP) through James Cook University (Queensland). The pathway offers two options:

  • Level 1 Allied Health Rural Generalist Program, completed over one to two years
  • Level 2 Graduate Diploma of Rural Generalist Practice, completed over two to three years

Both programs are delivered remotely, allowing participants to build rural generalist knowledge and skills while continuing to work in their local communities.

As part of the pathway, trainees extend their knowledge in a range of clinical areas to respond to the diverse healthcare needs of rural communities, as well as undertake local service development projects within defined key rural generalist strategies:

  • telehealth
  • delegation to support workers (e.g. allied health assistants)
  • extended scope of practice, or skill sharing / trans-professional practice
  • partnerships / shared-care service models supporting care for complex or low frequency clinical presentations.

Trainees work with their local teams in regional LHNs to implement innovative and effective solutions to the challenges of delivering care across geographically dispersed and culturally diverse populations.

Evaluations

Multiple evaluations of the Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway (AHRGP) show strong positive outcomes, including improved trainee confidence and ability to deliver advanced rural generalist care, and managers anticipating benefits for teams and consumers. Other findings included:

  • reduced staff turnover and recruitment savings, calculated at $375,000 over the 2019 to 2022 period
  • stronger intention of trainees to remain in rural practice
  • advancement of local service development
  • demonstrated trainee career progression
  • leadership skill growth.

For more information

For more information, contact Jo Lawson, Principal Consultant Allied Health, Rural Support Service (joanne.lawson@sa.gov.au).

More information about the Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway is also available on the SARRAH  website.