Wilkinson Shelley A, Duncan Leyanne, Barrett Catherine, Turnbull Robin, McCray Sally
Mater Mothers' Hospital, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Qld 4101, Australia.
Aust Health Rev. 2013 Nov;37(5):614-9. doi: 10.1071/AH13047.
Allied health professionals (AHPs) in maternity and neonatology services are essential for quality care and outcomes, reflected in the minimum service delivery requirements in the Queensland Health clinical services capability framework (CSCF). However, allied health (AH) capacity across the Southern Queensland Health Service Districts (SQHSD) is not known. The aim of this project was to redress this knowledge gap to inform ongoing service planning and delivery.
Maternity and neonatal AH clinicians in all birthing facilities in SQHSD were surveyed between October and December 2011 to investigate AHP staffing, practices and models of care. The professions surveyed included dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers and speech pathologists. Results were grouped per question, with stratification by CSCF and/or profession.
Fifty-five valid surveys from the 16 facilities were received. All professions were represented. Gaps in maternity AH services were identified. Awareness and use of evidence-based practices were more likely to be reported where higher full-time equivalents (FTE) were allocated.
Very low staffing levels have been recorded in all Maternity and Neonatology Services AHPs in the SQHSD. Gaps exist between actual and recommended CSCF staffing standards across all levels and professions. The results indicate that profession-specific support networks for AHPs have positive effects in the spreading of information, and continued promotion, support and involvement in these profession-specific networks is suggested for all facilities.
母婴和新生儿服务中的专职医疗人员对于提供高质量护理和取得良好结果至关重要，这一点在昆士兰卫生临床服务能力框架（CSCF）的最低服务提供要求中有所体现。然而，昆士兰南部卫生服务区（SQHSD）的专职医疗（AH）能力尚不清楚。本项目旨在弥补这一知识空白，为正在进行的服务规划和提供提供信息。
2011年10月至12月期间，对SQHSD所有分娩设施中的母婴和新生儿AH临床医生进行了调查，以调查专职医疗人员的配备、实践和护理模式。调查的专业包括营养师、职业治疗师、物理治疗师、心理学家、社会工作者和言语病理学家。结果按问题分组，并按CSCF和/或专业进行分层。
从16个设施中收到了55份有效调查问卷。所有专业均有代表。确定了母婴AH服务中的差距。在分配了更高全职等效人员（FTE）的地方，更有可能报告对循证实践的认识和使用情况。
在SQHSD的所有母婴和新生儿服务专职医疗人员中，记录到人员配备水平非常低。各级和各专业的实际人员配备标准与推荐的CSCF人员配备标准之间存在差距。结果表明，针对专职医疗人员的特定专业支持网络在信息传播方面具有积极作用，建议所有设施持续推广、支持并参与这些特定专业网络。
