A population-based model of indicators of allied health workforce needs: proof-of-concept in podiatry

Objective Allied health workforce planning faces challenges because of insufficient metrics that accurately reflect population need for services. This paper presents a method and proof-of-concept in the podiatry profession for developing population-based need indicators and indices suitable for allied health workforce planning and comparative benchmarking. Methods Population-based indicators of podiatry need were selected and combined into an index of need by Statistical Area Level 3 (SA3) in Australia. Medicare patient age and sex distributions for relevant item numbers were used to determine the inclusion of specific population age groups and sex as indicators. Other indicators included diabetes, socioeconomic status, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status. The need index was calculated based by aggregating these indicators at the SA3 level. The resulting need index was compared with podiatry supply (per capita clinician counts) using a population-weighted correlation coefficient (pwCorr). Results Analysis of Medicare usage data led to the inclusion of indicators: population aged 65 and over, and female gender. The need index had a small but significant negative correlation with supply at the SA3-level (pwCorr =-0.12, P =0.03) and positively, but not significantly, correlated at the state/territory-level (pwCorr=0.42, P =0.30). Conclusions Developing profession-specific population-based need indices provides a valuable tool for allied health workforce planners to benchmark need and supply within professions. Combining single need indicators with supply metrics offers a concise framework for effective workforce planning and advocacy.