Exploring a public-private partnership new-graduate physiotherapy recruitment program: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Rural Health Workforce
• Allied Health Recruitment
• Public-Private Partnerships

Background:

• Attracting allied health professionals to rural areas presents significant challenges.
• Workforce shortages in rural healthcare settings are a persistent issue.
• Innovative recruitment strategies are essential for rural health service delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the effectiveness of an informal public-private partnership model for recruiting new-graduate physiotherapists to rural practice.
• To identify the benefits and potential improvements of a shared public-private employment model for allied health professionals.
• To assess the impact of this model on both the public and private healthcare sectors and the graduates themselves.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative case study utilizing an appreciative inquiry framework.
• Data collected through three focus groups involving physiotherapists and managers from public and private sectors.
• Content and thematic analysis applied to derive key themes from participant data.

Main Results:

• The partnership model successfully attracted high-quality applicants to hard-to-fill rural positions.
• Shared roles reduced new graduate attrition risk, enhanced inter-sector networking, and promoted skill development.
• Model flexibility demonstrated potential for expansion to other professions and regions.

Conclusions:

• An informal public-private partnership is an effective strategy for overcoming rural allied health workforce shortages.
• The model provides mutual benefits for new graduates, public health services, and private practices.
• Further enhancements include dedicated funding, targeted recruitment, and structured transition support.