Allied Health Workforce Scopes of Practice and Decision-making Processes and Tools

This doctoral research consisted of three qualitative studies. The first study explored common terminology and meanings specific to scope of practice within Australian medical and health professions and highlighted the inconsistent nature of decision-making. Qualitative interviews with senior allied health leaders were then used to identify factors which influence the nature, timing and application of scope of practice decisions. These decision factors were subsequently applied to the design and development of two prototype decision support tools, and tested with a cohort of allied health directors and senior managers to determine their benefit for scope of practice decision-making.