The Australian and New Zealand dialysis workforce study 2021

Background 

Quality dialysis care is associated with appropriate staffing levels of trained and educated health professionals. Dialysis workforce models are rapidly changing, requiring workforce analysis to be performed. 

Aim

To identify current Australian and New Zealand dialysis workforce characteristics and trends. 

Method 

A 21-question web-based survey was disseminated to dialysis unit managers across Australia and New Zealand. 

Results 

A total of 205 unit responses were received (response rate 51%). The Australia and New Zealand dialysis workforce consisted of registered nurses (90%), enrolled nurses (6%) and clinical renal physiologists/patient care technicians (4%). The median age of dialysis staff was 45 years, and 37% of staff had formal nationally accredited renal qualifications. Most units had access to a renal educator (71%). The majority of units used patient to staff ratios (90% with an average of 1:3.3); however, only around one third measured patient acuity (38%). Unit managers reported that they always or usually have enough staff (68%), and offered overtime (75%) and called in current staff (63%) to cover vacancies. 

Conclusion 

This study has provided a ‘snapshot’ of the dialysis workforce. It identified dialysis unit and workforce growth, though not at the same rate as patient growth. The dialysis workforce is older, and there is an increasing reliance on the good will of current staff to cover shift vacancies. Tracking trends in the dialysis workforce may be useful in assisting these and future challenges, education and retention strategies to maintain and improve patient care both locally and globally.