Strategies to strengthen rural allied health workforce recruitment and retention in Aotearoa New Zealand: evidence-based recommendations from qualitative research.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Rural and remote communities in Aotearoa New Zealand face persistent challenges recruiting and retaining allied health professionals (AHPs). Despite investment enhancing medical and nursing rural workforces, the more than 40 professional groups comprising allied health, scientific and technical collectives have received little attention. We aimed to undertake a secondary analysis to systematically develop evidence-based, actionable and context-specific recommendations to improve rural AHP recruitment and retention in Aotearoa.

METHODS: We used a five-step process to translate evidence into context-specific guidance for five stakeholder groups (line managers, health organisations, recruiters, professional bodies/regulatory authorities, education providers) drawing on: a) empirical data and findings from qualitative research involving 18 AHPs with rural experience across Aotearoa; and b) targeted literature scans to identify intervention and implementation research and policy-relevant evidence from comparable rural and remote health system contexts.

RESULTS: Twenty recommendations were developed and then grouped into four focus areas: 1) build workforce integration and belonging, 2) establish sustainable practice environments, 3) design career-worthy rural roles, and 4) match people, place and practice. Implementation actions for key stakeholder groups were developed within each focus area. These recommendations collectively address the three key themes identified in our original research.

CONCLUSION: Successful recruitment and retention of rural AHPs requires a multifaceted, collaborative approach. Implementing these targeted recommendations can create environments where AHPs feel valued, supported and connected, ultimately improving allied health service access for rural communities.