A \u2018\u2018concerning, but not entirely surprising\u2019\u2019 high turnover of physiotherapists poses a \u2018\u2018substantial threat\u2019\u2019 to the stability and quality of New Zealand\u2019s public healthcare, new research has revealed.<\/p>\n
It has prompted urgent calls for strategies to strengthen recruitment, support and retention of physiotherapists within the public health system.<\/p>\n
Lead author and University of Otago physiotherapy PhD candidate Gillian Watson said a survey completed by more than 570 physiotherapists \u2014 46% of Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora\u2019s physiotherapy workforce \u2014 revealed 39.6% intended to leave their job and 19.4% considered leaving the profession.<\/p>\n
The study provides the first detailed picture of the public health physiotherapy workforce and highlights a pressing issue.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Our results show that we have a skilled and experienced workforce,\u2019\u2019 Ms Watson said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018However, many are under pressure and considering leaving.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018This has implications for costs and continuity of quality of care across the public healthcare sector.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The number of people intending to leave the profession was \u2018\u2018concerning, but not entirely surprising\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018There have been ongoing signals within the sector that retention is an issue, both in New Zealand and internationally.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018What this study does is put some numbers around that concern and highlights the scale of the challenge.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
She said the survey also showed 59.3% of respondents had more than 10 years\u2019 experience; 60.7% worked full-time; 51.7% worked overtime; 56.6% supervised students; and 49.3% contributed to the \u2018\u2018out-of-hours\u2019\u2019 roster.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018This shows that public-sector physiotherapists are working in complex and demanding roles.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018They are often less visible than doctors and nurses, yet they play a critical role across the health system.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018They are managing large and varied caseloads, alongside responsibilities like student supervision, unpaid overtime and additional out-of-hours work.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Supporting this workforce isn\u2019t just about staff wellbeing.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Retention directly impacts the quality of care people receive when they need it the most, and addressing these issues is imperative.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
She believed new strategies were needed to improve the work environment \u2014 such as workload issues, support and career development.<\/p>\n
They would be critical for the long-term sustainability of the workforce and continuity of care.<\/p>\n
Prioritising these efforts would ultimately improve health service delivery, patient outcomes and cost-efficiency.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018There is a real risk of losing experienced clinicians at a time when demand for services is increasing,\u2019\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n