Increasing the availability of high-quality comprehensive care in Australian communities

Purpose

The Single Employer Model (SEM) trials were designed to assess the feasibility of employing General Practice and Rural Generalist registrars under a single employer throughout their training. These trials aim to improve the attractiveness of GP training pathways and increase the availability of high-quality, comprehensive care in rural and remote Australian communities. The SEM allows registrars to access entitlements such as leave and a consistent salary, addressing disparities in employment conditions compared to hospital-based training pathways.

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Approach

We designed a formative and summative mixed-method evaluation that included the following key steps:

• Document review of SEM trial materials, consultations with stakeholders (e.g. Murrumbidgee Local Health District  and Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network).
• Co-design of the logic model and high-level evaluation framework (EF) with key stakeholders, including general practices, state health departments, and rural workforce agencies.
• A high-level EF was developed and refined through focus groups with the Department, LHDs, registrars, and key participants. This framework incorporated indicators to assess the trial’s appropriateness, effectiveness, and implementation challenges.
• Following the approval of the framework, the baseline data collection infrastructure was established. This included gathering data from registrar surveys, MBS billing information, and training data from participating sites, ensuring a thorough analysis of SEM’s impact on the GP workforce and healthcare service delivery.

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Outcome

We delivered the Detailed Evaluation Framework and Baseline Data Report to the Department in June 2024. The baseline report provided critical insights into the early stages of SEM trials, highlighting key metrics such as registrar retention, satisfaction with the SEM arrangement, and impacts on healthcare access in trial regions. The framework will provide the foundation for ongoing evaluations and monitoring across the trial sites.

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Client

Department of Health and Aged Care