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Considerations for Training and Workforce Development to Enhance Rural and Remote Ophthalmology Practise in Australia: A Scoping Review

Author

Listed:
  • Kehinde Obamiro

    (Centre for Rural Health, Newnham Campus, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Belinda Jessup

    (Centre for Rural Health, Newnham Campus, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Penny Allen

    (Rural Clinical School, Hospitals’ Campus, University of Tasmania, Brickport Road, Burnie, TAS 7320, Australia)

  • Victoria Baker-Smith

    (The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, 94-98 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia)

  • Santosh Khanal

    (The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, 94-98 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia)

  • Tony Barnett

    (Centre for Rural Health, Newnham Campus, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia)

Abstract

Australia has one of the lowest per capita numbers of ophthalmologists among OECD countries, and they predominantly practise in metropolitan centres of the country. Increasing the size and distribution of the ophthalmology workforce is of critical importance. The objective of this review was to investigate the context of rural ophthalmology training and practise in Australia and how they relate to future ophthalmology workforce development. This scoping review was informed by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and the methodology described by Coloqhuon et al. The search yielded 428 articles, of which 261 were screened for eligibility. Following the screening, a total of 75 articles were included in the study. Themes identified relating to rural ophthalmology training and practise included: Indigenous eye health; access and utilisation of ophthalmology-related services; service delivery models for ophthalmic care; ophthalmology workforce demographics; and ophthalmology workforce education and training for rural and remote practise. With an anticipated undersupply and maldistribution of ophthalmologists in the coming decade, efforts to improve training must focus on how to build a sizeable, fit-for-purpose workforce to address eye health needs across Australia. More research focusing on ophthalmology workforce distribution is needed to help identify evidence-based solutions for workforce maldistribution. Several strategies to better prepare the future ophthalmology workforce for rural practise were identified, including incorporating telehealth into ophthalmology training settings; collaborating with other health workers, especially optometrists and specialist nurses in eyecare delivery; and exposing trainees to more patients of Indigenous background.

Suggested Citation

  • Kehinde Obamiro & Belinda Jessup & Penny Allen & Victoria Baker-Smith & Santosh Khanal & Tony Barnett, 2022. "Considerations for Training and Workforce Development to Enhance Rural and Remote Ophthalmology Practise in Australia: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-31, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8593-:d:862902
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stuart Keel & Joshua Foreman & Jing Xie & Peter van Wijngaarden & Hugh R Taylor & Mohamed Dirani, 2017. "The Prevalence of Self-Reported Diabetes in the Australian National Eye Health Survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, January.
    2. Penny Allen & Belinda Jessup & Santosh Khanal & Victoria Baker-Smith & Kehinde Obamiro & Tony Barnett, 2021. "Distribution and Location Stability of the Australian Ophthalmology Workforce: 2014–2019," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-9, November.
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