Journal article
Enumerating and profiling the designated public health nutrition workforce in Australia
Nutrition & dietetics, Vol.61(3), pp.162-171
2004
Abstract
Objective: To assess the size, demographic, educational and organisational characteristics of the designated Australian public health nutrition workforce. Design: A cross-sectional survey of population-based nutrition positions in the Australian health system using a self-completed questionnaire was conducted over the December 2001-February 2002 period. Subject identification involved use of existing state public health nutrition network contact lists complemented by snowball sampling. Descriptive data from 12 questions focusing on workforce demographics, employment characteristics and qualifications from a larger questionnaire were reported, and projected workforce needs calculated. Subjects and setting: Two hundred and forty population-based nutrition practitioners in Australia. Main outcome measures: Descriptive data profiling the demographic, educational and employment characteristics of the designated public health nutrition workforce. Results: An 87% response rate was achieved. Enumeration estimates and workforce need projections based on internationally recognised benchmarks indicate the Australian public health nutrition workforce is under 40% of the size needed. The demographic profile of this sample indicates a workforce that is highly feminised (95% female) and mostly between 26 to 45 years of age. Less than half (49%) are in permanent full-time positions and 22% are temporary or casual. State health departments are the main employers (76%). The study found a small cohort of designated public health nutrition positions (less than 50) nation-wide with most classifying the nature of their position as that of community-based nutritionists/dietitians. The use of 'public health nutritionist' as a position title was limited to less than 20 practitioners nationally. The majority of the workforce sampled (75%) had entry-level dietetics qualifications with only 17% of dietetics graduates having higher degree or further public health qualifications.... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Title
- Enumerating and profiling the designated public health nutrition workforce in Australia
- Authors
- Roger Hughes (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
- Publication details
- Nutrition & dietetics, Vol.61(3), pp.162-171
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
- ISSN
- 1446-6368
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449724602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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