Nursing and allied health workforce in Australian public rheumatology departments is inadequate: a cross-sectional observational study.

ABSTRACT: Rheumatological conditions are complex and impact many facets of daily life. Management of people with rheumatological conditions can be optimised through multidisciplinary care. However, the current access to nursing and allied health professionals in Australia is unknown. A cross-sectional study of nursing and allied health professionals in Australian public rheumatology departments for adult and paediatric services was conducted. The heads of Australian public rheumatology departments were invited to report the health professionals working within their departments, referral pathways, and barriers to greater multidisciplinary care. A total of 27/39 (69.2%) of the hospitals responded. The most common health professionals within departments were nurses (n = 23; 85.2%) and physiotherapists

SUBMITTER: Whittaker GA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10980610 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature