The challenges and successes of psychological service delivery to rural south west Queensland

Mann, W. and du Preez, Jan (2010) The challenges and successes of psychological service delivery to rural south west Queensland. In: 27th International Congress of Applied Psychology (ICAP 2010), 11-16 Jul 2010, Melbourne, Australia.

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Abstract

General Practitioners and mental health clinicians recognise and acknowledge the expertise of psychologists in the diagnosis and management of the full range of mental health problems. This presentation highlights the
challenges of recruiting and retaining sufficient numbers of psychologists by a particular service provider, while also outlining a particularly effective strategy implemented over the past decade. Continuing difficulties are identified with some options suggested as part solutions. Data is presented illustrating the scope of the
challenges faced: nature and extent of mental health problems; scale of demand and geographic are covered; comparative research involving other service providers. The
organisation has been recruiting and employing qualified and experienced psychologists for South West Queensland region for the past 13 years. The challenge to the organisation to offer effective and continuous services hinges on the difficulties of recruitment and retention of staff in these areas. The practice of sponsoring
psychologists from abroad, who meet the standards of the Australian Psychological Society as well as the Queensland Board of Psychology, has proven to be an effective strategy. This has allowed for effective service delivery in this region as described by the community, GPs and
consumers in a recent survey. Service delivery remains a challenge due to numerous reasons to be explored. Of particular note is the challenge of managing a situation in which overseastrained psychologists with a particular cultural orientation are required to serve an ever
changing multi-cultural population in the South
West Queensland region. A future based exploration of ways to support these psychologists—personally and professionally — whilst delivering an effective service within this multicultural environment is outlined.

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Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Commonwealth Reporting Category E) (Speech)
Refereed:	Yes
Item Status:	Live Archive
Additional Information:	Only abstracts published in conference proceedings, as supplied here.
Faculty / Department / School:	Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology
Date Deposited:	30 Aug 2010 02:19
Last Modified:	13 Sep 2013 00:12
Uncontrolled Keywords:	diagnosis; general practitioners; overseas-trained psychologists; recruiting psychologists; psychological service providers
Fields of Research :	17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170113 Social and Community Psychology 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170106 Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology 11 Medical and Health Sciences > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111714 Mental Health
Socio-Economic Objective:	E Expanding Knowledge > 97 Expanding Knowledge > 970117 Expanding Knowledge in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
URI:	http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/8626

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