AOA has engaged HealthConsult Pty Ltd to undertake a workforce planning and modelling exercise on the orthopaedic surgeon workforce in Australia.
Workforce planning issues have been discussed at both executive committee and board level since April 2013, when issues around Health Workforce Australia (HWA) current and projected numbers of orthopaedic surgeons were raised. The Board made a decision to support the engagement of HealthConsult to undertake a project study of the current orthopaedic workforce nationally, and to provide AOA with a tool to plan for orthopaedic surgeon requirements into the future.
The project objectives are to:
- prepare information on the current orthopaedic surgeon workforce profession numbers and issues affecting orthopaedic surgery service provisions in Australia
- formulate a methodology that will ensure reliable workforce planning can be conducted in the future
- identify opportunities to address workforce and skills shortages if any are identified.
This survey of orthopaedic surgeons and orthopaedic surgical trainees is a key part of the data collection process for the project. HealthConsult has developed the survey by working in consultation with AOA. Completion of the survey is strongly supported by AOA.
All AOA members are urged to take the time required to complete the survey, as it is only by having accurate information on the current workforce that reliable workforce planning models can be developed. All data will be strictly confidential and anonymous. The survey analysis will only be reported to AOA in aggregate form.
AOA members have been emailed the link to the survey. If you have not received it, please contact the AOA Communications Team at: aoa@aoa.org.au
A separate survey has been distributed to the Manager (with a copy to the Director of Medical Services) of all hospitals that provide orthopaedic services. We'd appreciate assistance in advising who the most appropriate person is to receive this hospital survey. An online registration process has been set up at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OrthopaedicSurgeryHospitalSurvey. We urge AOA members to follow up with their Hospital Manager/DMS to ensure the surveys are completed.