Introduction
Access to reliable and efficient healthcare is a basic human right by the world health organization. Many governments are reviewing their medical services to ensure that health services are easily accessible to rural populations (Klugman & Dalinis, 2008). Rural health refers to the interdisciplinary study and provision of health care services to rural populations.
In general, urban residents have quick and easy access to medical services (Cheers, 1998). On the other hand, rural residents are faced with different health challenges compared to the urban population (Francis, Burley & Cross, 2004). Health facilities and institution in rural areas are highly scattered and poorly staffed. Thus, rural health initiatives should be implemented (Phillips, 2002).
Rural Health
Rural areas are expansive, sparsely populated and have harsh climatic and geographical environments and high socio-economic diversity (Gray and Lawrence, 2001). The definition of “rural area” should consider the context (Humphreys and Rolley, 1991; Mungall & Cox, 1999). In contrast, rural populations are characterised by strong social relationships and unity.
Demographic Characteristics of the Workforce
In rural areas, the workforce is largely made up of males especially in the dentistry sector. The average age of most dentists was 42.7 years, and that of therapist was 36.5 years. On average, part time dentists worked for 25.31hrs per week, while full time worked for 39.72hrs per week.
Full time and part-time therapists worked for 38.25 hrs and 23.63 hrs per week respectively (National Health Workforce Taskforce, 2009). Most medical doctors in the rural set up are family people. This profile is identical to the rural general practitioners profile (Kruger & Tennant, 2004).
Nurse, GP and Specialist health workforce – average hours worked and average age 2001 and 2005
Level and Categories of Workforce
The workforce in rural health centres comprises nurses, allied health staff, indigenous health workers, pharmacists, medical doctors and others.
It is also viewed that the number of the workforce is inversely proportional to the accessibility of the location. Areas viewed as remote usually have few medical workers (Francis, Bowman & Redgrave, 2002). Each year, new vacancies in all groups of the medical profession are advertised.
Most medical staffs view rural populations as socially, culturally and economically less empowered. They have a general perception that setting up a medical practice in rural areas is not viable for business. In addition, lack of access to relief and few career opportunities also influence their decisions about practising in the rural areas (Best 2000).
The number of skilled nurses in rural areas is declining at an alarming rate. Different reasons have been given to explain this trend. The government came up with a task force mandated to investigate and provide recommendations on how to tackle the nurses’ shortage in rural health (Smith, 2004).
Key Issues in Rural Health
Medical staffs in rural areas have a very wide scope of practice due to lack of enough specialists. Medical staffs are also unable to access educational resources to improve their qualifications (Wilkinson and Blue, 2002).
Medical workers in rural areas need to have good skills and a wide knowledge base with the capability of working with minimal resources (Cramer, 2000). Safety and security are also issues of concern for medical staffs working in the rural areas (Association for Australian Rural Nurses, 2004).
In addition, poor wages and salaries, poor distribution of the workforce and migration of health workers in search of greener pastures have adverse effects on rural health (Dunbabin & Levitt 2003).
Strategies for Addressing the Workforce Issues in Rural Health
The workforce can be encouraged to stay in rural areas through incentives such as the scholarship programs (Strasser, 2002). The government should also encourage the establishment of rural health department in various universities. The government should encourage hiring of additional medical staff with incentives to work in rural health.
Conclusion
Drastic measures have to be established to check the workforce levels in rural health to overcome future shortages of workers. The government should come up with appropriate incentives that will encourage medical practitioners to establish their practice in rural settings.
References
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