Partnering for the future: creating a public-private partnership for new graduate physiotherapy recruitment and education program David Schmidt – Physiotherapy Advisor, Southern NSW LHD Adam Woolacott – Director, Sapphire Coast Physiotherapy Neil Dmytryk– Physiotherapist, Sapphire Coast Physiotherapy

Context Recruiting to physiotherapy positions in rural areas can be challenging The Bega Valley is a small rural coastal community 400km from Sydney Traditionally recruiting to physiotherapy vacancies has been because people come to the area

Physiotherapy in the region The Bega Valley has a long history of difficulty recruiting to physiotherapy vacancies With vacancies in both the public and private sectors, an innovative approach was needed In 2012 Bega Valley Health Services joined forces with Sapphire Coast Physiotherapy to create an informal Public-Private Partnership

What the private sector offered Established musculoskeletal inservice program Expertise in hands, manips, women’s health and sport Hydrotherapy, occupational health and gym-based activities Workcover, DVA, GPMP and private caseload

What the public sector offered Inpatient caseload including ICU, neurology, respiratory and fracture management Chronic care group work Multidisciplinary team approach Direct contact with surgeons and specialists

The partnership model Collaborative advertising and recruitment Two new graduates working part-time in both sectors (2 FTE total) Shared education

The research Partnership model New and recent graduates (n=5) Public sector managers (n=4) Private sector managers (n=3) Appreciative Inquiry framework Focus Groups

Private sector delivered Inclusive inservice program Expertise in specialty areas shared Hydro, occ health and gym experience informed public work Diverse caseload informed decisions about treatment approach

Public sector delivered Neuro, respiratory and plastering skills translate into private caseload Chronic care programs awareness of availability Multidisciplinary team broadened referrals Contact with specialists improved communication

Additional combined benefits A broader education and experience A greater insight into the patient continuum of care A range of mentoring and social support Allowed experience of different working cultures Inform future career choices

Detriments? Lost-time cost in private sector Two part-time contracts Complex workplace setup for graduates Conflict of interest challenges Residual habits

The future of the model? Part of the future for both sectors Recruiting for next year Expanded into student placements Viable option for other regions and professions SCP vision statement: “To become a flagship of Australian rural physiotherapy partnerships”

Take home messages Build on existing relationships Be realistic about what you need and what you bring Flexibility and mutual respect are essential foundations Partnering can have a range of benefits for all

Acknowledgements The model is a partnership between Southern NSW LHD and Sapphire Coast and Snowy Mountains Physiotherapy. The evaluation of the partnership model was completed with additional support from the Health Education and Training Institute. For more information: