Article 2021

Preparing for an aging Australia: The development of multidisciplinary core competencies for the Australian health and aged care workforce

Gerontology and Geriatrics Education
Journal · Vol. 42 · Issue 3 · pp. 399-422
Abstract

Appropriately skilled staff are required to meet the health and care needs of aging populations yet, shared competencies for the workforce are lacking. This study aimed to develop multidisciplinary core competencies for health and aged care workers in Australia through a scoping review and Delphi survey. The scoping review identified 28 records which were synthesized through thematic analysis into draft domains and measurable competencies. Consensus was sought from experts over two Delphi rounds (n = 111 invited; n = 59 round one; n = 42 round two). Ten domains with 66 core competencies, to be interpreted and applied according to the worker’s scope of practice were finalized. Consensus on multidisciplinary core competencies which are inclusive of a broad range of registered health professionals and unregistered aged care workers was achieved. Shared knowledge, attitudes, and skills across the workforce may improve the standard and coordination of person-centered, integrated care for older Australians from diverse backgrounds. © 2020 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Competencies education Workforce Multidisciplinary aged care

Index Keywords

Skill adult clinical competence female human male Humans Article worker Thematic analysis Australia education major clinical study Australian attitude workforce Delphi study Delphi Technique aged aging consensus scope of practice geriatrics
Author Affiliations
UNSW Medicine, Kensington, NSW, Australia
UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
School of Nursing and Midwifery, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW, Australia, The University of Sydney School of Dentistry, Sydney, NSW, Australia
School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
Dietetics Department, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
HammondCare, Sydney, NSW, Australia
School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Discipline of Pharmacy, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
NICM Health Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
School of Nursing and Midwifery, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
References 10 References
1 Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce, (2018)
2 Arksey, Hilary, Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework, International Journal of Social Research Methodology: Theory and Practice, 8, 1, pp. 19-32, (2005)
3 Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce, (2019)
4 Industry Reference Committee to Shape Aged Services Workforce, (2018)
5 Aged Services Industry Reference Committee
6 Australias Health 2014, (2014)
7 Older Australia at A Glance, (2018)
8 Podiatry Competency Standards for Australia and New Zealand, (2009)
9 Competency Standards for Orthoptists, (2015)
10 Professional Competencies of the Newly Qualified Dentist, (2016)
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