Morgan Kate, Campbell Katrina L, Sargeant Sally, Reidlinger Dianne P
Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, 4226, Australia.
School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Coolangatta, Australia.
Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract. 2020 Mar;25(1):31-53. doi: 10.1007/s10459-019-09904-6. Epub 2019 Aug 5.
Effective health workforce preparation is critical to the health of those who stand to benefit from its services. Emerging dietitians can provide important insights on an evolving workforce that is well-placed to advance future global health. This study aimed to explore a national sample of dietetics graduates' experiences of, and challenges faced in, dietetics workforce preparation and preparedness in Australia. An interpretive description methodology guided this study whereby researchers interpreted the meanings that participants attributed to their experiences. Twenty dietitians (graduated within the last 2 years) were purposively sampled from across Australia and detailed insights were obtained through semi-structured interviews. A multi-analyst approach employing thematic and template analysis, enabled five themes to be identified across the data set. These included: (1) being held back; (2) chasing the prize; (3) valuing real learning; (4) easing the transition; and (5) encountering influencers. While graduates appreciated their preparation, they were not empowered or equipped to embrace opportunities in diverse and emerging areas of dietetics practice. Graduates were challenged by the competitive landscape of securing obvious job opportunities and by a lack of support in transitioning into the workforce. Practice exposures and encounters with influential dietitians were highly valued. Research on role-emerging dietetics placements along with enhanced support mechanisms for novice dietitians is urgently required to ensure appropriate alignment between future dietetics preparation and practice. Obtaining insights into health professional graduates' experiences of their education can be used to ensure that emerging health workforces are relevant and responsive to future market needs.
有效的卫生人力培养对于那些有望从其服务中受益的人的健康至关重要。初出茅庐的营养师可以为不断发展的卫生人力提供重要见解，这一人力对于推动未来全球健康具有重要意义。本研究旨在探讨澳大利亚全国范围内营养学毕业生在营养学人力培养及准备方面的经历和面临的挑战。本研究采用解释性描述方法，研究人员据此解读参与者赋予其经历的意义。从澳大利亚各地有目的地抽取了20名营养师（在过去两年内毕业），并通过半结构化访谈获得了详细见解。采用主题分析和模板分析的多分析师方法，从数据集中识别出五个主题。这些主题包括：（1）受阻；（2）追逐目标；（3）重视实际学习；（4）缓解过渡；（5）遇到有影响力的人。虽然毕业生对他们的培养表示赞赏，但他们没有获得权力或具备在多样化和新兴的营养学实践领域抓住机会的能力。毕业生面临着获得明显工作机会的竞争环境以及在过渡到工作岗位时缺乏支持的挑战。实践接触和与有影响力的营养师的相遇受到高度重视。迫切需要对新兴的营养学实习岗位进行研究，并为新手营养师加强支持机制，以确保未来营养学培养与实践之间的适当匹配。了解卫生专业毕业生的教育经历可用于确保新兴卫生人力与未来市场需求相关并做出响应。
