Type of community as confounding variable in the satisfaction of rural child and youth mental health clinicians: implications for evidence‐based workforce development
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/17556221211230561 |
| Pages | 20-32 |
| Date | 30 March 2012 |
| Published date | 30 March 2012 |
| Author | Judy Gillespie,Rhea Redivo |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Type of community as confounding variable
in the satisfaction of rural child and youth
mental health clinicians: implications for
evidence-based workforce development
Judy Gillespie and Rhea Redivo
Abstract
Purpose – This paper seeks to present findings from a study soliciting the perspectives of child and
youth mental health clinicians practising in rural/remote settings in British Columbia, Canada.
Satisfaction is assessed in four areas: lifestyle, practice, preparation for practice, and fit of
organizational standards.
Design/methodology/approach – An online survey using a variety of closed and open-ended
questions was administered to clinicians practising in four distinct settings: small rural, large rural, small
remote, and large remote. Closed questions were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 while open ended
questions were analyzed using manual open and axial coding.
Findings – Findings indicate moderate to high levels of satisfaction in all areas. Satisfaction with rural
lifestyle and professional practice was strongest for clinicians recruited from within the community.
However,clinicians from small remote communities indicated much lower levels of satisfaction in all four
areas.
Originality/value – The study underscores the importance of understanding the diversity of rural
practice settings in mental health workforce development. In particular it highlights the need for greater
attention to evidence based approaches to support mental health practitioners in small remotesettings.
Keywords Mental health services, Child and youth mental health, Rural/remote practice,
Workforce training, Workforce development, Workforce retention, Evidence-based practice
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Childhood and adolescence have been identified as key periods for the development of
positive health, including mental health and in recent years there has been greater national
and international attention to strategies to promote child and youth mental health (Curtis et al.,
2011; Nixon, 2007). Yetmany countries struggle with effective methods to address the mental
health needs of children and youth and within these struggles, workforce issues play a
significant role (Anderson and Nixon, 2007; Richardson et al., 2007; Waddell et al., 2002).
Nixon (2007) identified six specific challenges for child and youth mental health workforce
planning in the UK that have international relevance:
1. Situating child and youth mental health planning within local service planning and
delivery.
2. Creative approaches to the recruitment and retention of a child and youth mental health
workforce.
3. Facilitating improved interprofessional linkages and collaborative practice.
4. Creating new roles through which to address child and youth mental health.
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THE JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTHTRAINING, EDUCATION AND PRACTICE
j
VOL. 7 NO. 1 2012, pp. 20-32, QEmeraldGroup Publishing Limited, ISSN 1755-6228 DOI 10.1108/17556221211230561
Judy Gillespie is an
Assistant Professor and
Rhea Redivo is a Master of
Social Work and a
Registered Social Worker,
both at the University of
British Columbia,
Vancouver,Canada.
This research was funded
through a grant from the
Ministry of Children and Family
Development to the Lower
Similkameen Community
Services Society.
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