As you may already be aware, the Australian Podiatry Conference is fast approaching, taking place in Brisbane between June 22 to 24, 2023. And as a podiatrist, you will no doubt be aware that hiring podiatrists, retaining staff, and attracting employees is tough these days.
This isn’t exclusive to the podiatry profession; workforce challenges are having a ripple effect that requires a coordinated, all-of-allied-health solution.
If you are coming to this year’s conference, please come prepared to share your workforce experiences – and don’t forget to attend the ‘workforce & education’ stream for more background on who is speaking and what topics are being covered.
Pre-conference workforce reading
Want to carry out related reading? The following resources may be of interest.
- The APodA National Podiatry Workforce Summit + report
This summit brought together almost 20 industry leaders from the podiatry and allied health sectors. The National Workforce Summit Report, written by the Australian Podiatry Association, addresses the issues raised at this summit –alongside potential practical actions.
- JFAR research
Describing the factors related to rural podiatry work and retention in the podiatry workforce: a national survey, published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research in February 2023.This study highlights that access to professional development opportunities, job satisfaction, and a supportive workplace culture are positively linked to podiatrists’ intent to stay in their current role. Conversely, factors like high workload, lack of professional autonomy, and limited scope of practice are negatively linked.
- PAIGE Study
The Podiatrists in Australia Investigating Graduate Employment (PAIGE) Study v1This study investigates the employment outcomes of new graduate podiatrists in Australia, including their job search experiences, job satisfaction, and career aspirations. It provides valuable insights into the experiences of new graduates entering the podiatry workforce and their career trajectories. The study also identified some areas for improvement, including a lack of mentorship and support for new graduates in their first podiatry roles. Challenges experienced by podiatrists, as reported in the PAIGE study, include:
- Lack of mentorship and support for new graduates in their first podiatry roles.
- Difficulty finding work in their preferred location or area of interest.
- Limited opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
- High workload and time pressures, particularly in private practice settings.
- Limited access to resources and equipment, especially in rural and remote areas.
- Difficulties in managing the administrative and business aspects of their practice.
- Additional reading
There is a wealth of other information out there, much of which is practical in nature, including these articles:
Get more involved
Involve yourself in the latest workforce discussions by:
- Becoming a member: Become a member of the APodA if you’re not one already. Membership not only yields multiple benefits for you as a podiatrist but it also includes access to national groups and member-only forums to discuss pressing issues, such as workforce challenges and solutions. Don’t forget to also join APodA’s Podiatrists in Business Special Interest Group for further shared learning opportunities.
- Sharing data: Share the above resources online with national and global networks to encourage peer-to-peer discussions that can travel further, quicker.
- Becoming an influencer: Every podiatrist has a role to play when it comes to boosting student enrolments. Your influence can inspire a school student to consider a career in podiatry – either through treating a young patient in clinic, or presenting at a school career expo. If you would like guidance on how to get involved in such opportunities, contact the APodA for help (if you are a member).
