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‘When you are on your own, everything is your responsibility’: Experiences of audiologists and audiometrists working in rural Australia
Author(s) -
Kemper Elizabeth,
Willis Karen,
Simpson Andrea
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
australian journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.48
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1440-1584
pISSN - 1038-5282
DOI - 10.1111/ajr.12711
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , scope (computer science) , scope of practice , psychological intervention , nursing , public relations , work (physics) , negotiation , rural area , medicine , medical education , qualitative research , psychology , sociology , political science , health care , engineering , mechanical engineering , social science , pathology , computer science , law , programming language
Objective To investigate the experiences of audiologists and audiometrists working in regional and remote areas of Australia. Design A qualitative design, using telephone and videoconference semi‐structured interviews and thematic analysis. Setting Regional and remote locations across Australia Participants 5 audiologists and 2 audiometrists, 6 female and one male. Interventions None. Main outcome measures Insights into the experiences of audiologists and audiometrists working in rural Australia. Results Core themes that emerged from analysis were (a) professional isolation and increased scope of practice, (b) the importance of social and professional networks, (c) variable access to professional support, (d) challenges in the recruitment and retention of clinicians, and (e) tensions between service provision and profitability. Conclusion This study provides valuable insights into both the rewarding and challenging aspects of working as an audiologist or audiometrist in regional and remote areas. This study emphasised the need to address these challenges in order to attract more audiological professionals to work and stay in regional and remote areas of Australia.