Mental Health and Wellbeing: Perceptions of Rural Primary Care Practitioners/Managers
Tracks
Grand Ballroom 1 and Virtual via OnAIR
| Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
| 1:35 PM - 1:55 PM |
Overview
David Wellman, Health Workforce Queensland
Presenter
Mr David Wellman
Senior Data Analyst
Health Workforce Queensland
Mental Health and Wellbeing: Perceptions of Rural Primary Care Practitioners/Managers
Presentation Overview
Introduction
Health and wellbeing (H&W) of residents are key concerns of health practitioners in rural/remote communities. There are issues around access to the full range of H&W supports that are related to community size and remoteness. However, little is known about how primary care practitioners/managers view their own H&W and whether it has changed over time. Further, what barriers exist for practitioners to access mental health support for themselves/family?
Method
This study was part of a larger quality assurance project undertaken by Health Workforce Queensland as part of reporting requirements to DoHAC. An online survey of practitioners/managers was conducted in Modified Monash (MM) 2-7 Queensland (October 2024-February 2025) using Swarbrick’s (1997) eight dimensions of H&W, slightly adjusted to include a cultural aspect (financial; social; physical; emotional; spiritual/cultural; occupational; environmental; and intellectual). Participants rated each dimension for their current H&W and whether it was better or worse than two-years ago using 101-point wellness rating scales. Participants were asked about barriers to accessing mental health services for themselves and family members.
Results
There were responses from 876 participants covering disciplines of medicine, allied health, nursing, midwifery and management. Mean current H&W ratings were positive (Range 64.86-74.86), as were ratings ‘compared to two years ago’ (Range 60.63-66.94). Intellectual wellbeing had the highest mean on both measures. Thematic analysis of comments on barriers to mental health access identified three themes: workforce shortages; privacy/confidentiality; and cost. Differences between disciplines and remoteness areas will be discussed.
Conclusion
On average, health practitioners/managers in rural QLD perceived their current H&W quite positively and also compared to two years beforehand. Barriers for practitioners/managers to access mental health services were highlighted and suggest that increases in the workforce, both mental health practitioners and GPs, is important. However, provision of services that address privacy and confidentiality concerns may assist workforce planners.
Health and wellbeing (H&W) of residents are key concerns of health practitioners in rural/remote communities. There are issues around access to the full range of H&W supports that are related to community size and remoteness. However, little is known about how primary care practitioners/managers view their own H&W and whether it has changed over time. Further, what barriers exist for practitioners to access mental health support for themselves/family?
Method
This study was part of a larger quality assurance project undertaken by Health Workforce Queensland as part of reporting requirements to DoHAC. An online survey of practitioners/managers was conducted in Modified Monash (MM) 2-7 Queensland (October 2024-February 2025) using Swarbrick’s (1997) eight dimensions of H&W, slightly adjusted to include a cultural aspect (financial; social; physical; emotional; spiritual/cultural; occupational; environmental; and intellectual). Participants rated each dimension for their current H&W and whether it was better or worse than two-years ago using 101-point wellness rating scales. Participants were asked about barriers to accessing mental health services for themselves and family members.
Results
There were responses from 876 participants covering disciplines of medicine, allied health, nursing, midwifery and management. Mean current H&W ratings were positive (Range 64.86-74.86), as were ratings ‘compared to two years ago’ (Range 60.63-66.94). Intellectual wellbeing had the highest mean on both measures. Thematic analysis of comments on barriers to mental health access identified three themes: workforce shortages; privacy/confidentiality; and cost. Differences between disciplines and remoteness areas will be discussed.
Conclusion
On average, health practitioners/managers in rural QLD perceived their current H&W quite positively and also compared to two years beforehand. Barriers for practitioners/managers to access mental health services were highlighted and suggest that increases in the workforce, both mental health practitioners and GPs, is important. However, provision of services that address privacy and confidentiality concerns may assist workforce planners.
Biography
David has been actively involved in public health research and evaluation since 2001. Since joining Health Workforce Queensland his main focus has been on investigating recruitment and retention of remote/rural primary care practitioners and contributing to the development of a methodology to identify Queensland communities at risk of experiencing health workforce shortages. David’s other work includes identification of emerging issues impacting the primary care workforce in remote/rural Queensland communities and evaluation of national and state-based programs aimed at addressing primary care workforce shortages through practitioner incentives/support, and programs encouraging health students to pursue a rural career.
