Abstract
Demographic shifts over the next 20 years will create major change in Australia’s society, economy and health system. The ageing of the baby boomer generation will place an unprecedented demand on health services that will need to be met by a shrinking pool of employed younger people. Adjusting to this new health service scenario will be expensive and potentially politically
fraught. A careful analysis of the current and past health workforce helps policy makers prepare for the future. In 2005, Professors Schofield and Beard, both then at the Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health, used census data from 1986 onwards to investigate the effect of demographic change on employment and retirement patterns of general practitioners (GPs), medical specialists and nurses. The study used Australian census data from 1986 to 2001. Age cohorts representing the different generations — pre-depression; war and depression; baby boomer; and generation X — were followed through each subsequent census. The difference between each cohort’s approach to work was compared by examining characteristics such as hours worked and age of retirement. The researchers also contrasted the characteristics of the rural health professionals with those working in the major capital cities. The study highlighted the problem of the increasing numbers of retiring health
professionals, particularly in rural areas
fraught. A careful analysis of the current and past health workforce helps policy makers prepare for the future. In 2005, Professors Schofield and Beard, both then at the Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health, used census data from 1986 onwards to investigate the effect of demographic change on employment and retirement patterns of general practitioners (GPs), medical specialists and nurses. The study used Australian census data from 1986 to 2001. Age cohorts representing the different generations — pre-depression; war and depression; baby boomer; and generation X — were followed through each subsequent census. The difference between each cohort’s approach to work was compared by examining characteristics such as hours worked and age of retirement. The researchers also contrasted the characteristics of the rural health professionals with those working in the major capital cities. The study highlighted the problem of the increasing numbers of retiring health
professionals, particularly in rural areas
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | A bright future for rural health |
| Subtitle of host publication | evidence-based policy and practice in rural and remote Australian health care |
| Editors | Ann Larson, David Lyle |
| Place of Publication | Deakin, ACT |
| Publisher | Australian Rural Health Education Network |
| Chapter | 16 |
| Pages | 76-78 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780977568734 |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |
| Externally published | Yes |