About ASPA Inc
There is little doubt that the population of Australia is not only increasing, but is also aging (Australian Government, The Treasury 2010) with the Australian population forecast to grow to 36 million by 2050. In addition, the Australian health workforce, which employs 11% of the Australian workforce (full and part-time), is also aging (Dept. of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations 2010). Current projection identify that even with the increases aimed at medical student numbers at an 85.7% increase by 2012, demand for health professionals will outstrip supply (National Health Workforce Taskforce, 2009).
As a result, Australia needs new and innovative ways to provide healthcare services for all Australia. Whilst increasing medical student numbers is vital, extension of healthcare service by other methods will be necessary.
In response to addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals, the Physician Assistant model of healthcare has been introduced into Australia (find out what a PA is here...). Over the preceding 18 months, trials have been conducted into the feasibility of introducing the Physician Assistant model into Australia. The final report of the Queensland trial can be found here... Whilst these trials were being conducted, the University of Queensland introduced its first Master of Physician Assistant Studies program.
Interest was gained from international Physician Assistants who were either conducting the trials or in education, and from the first Australian PA students to determine if there was a need to have a professional organisation and what would be its purpose. From these expressions of interest, potential members voted on mission and vision statements and a logo which would form the basis of the Australian Society of Physician Assistants. A steering committee formed to provide the groundwork to allow ASPA to move from a concept to an Australian Registered Body, which is now ready for individuals to join and help shape the direction of this new organisation which supports a new and exciting profession.
The Australian Society of Physician Assistants is a not for profit organisation, whose purpose is to support the introduction and development of the Physician Assistant profession in Australia.
Our Mission and Vision statements can be found here...
References
- Australian Government, The Treasury Web Services 2010, Intergenerational Report 2010, Australia to 2050: Future Challenges, Australian Government Treasury, accessed 15 October 2010, http://www.treasury.gov.au/igr/igr2010/report/pdf/IGR_2010.pdf
- Skills Info Web Service 2010, Employment Outlook for Health Care and Social Assistance, Australian Government, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, accessed 10 November 2010,http://www.skillsinfo.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/AB7683BB-E048-4AF5-BA46-D81B75CB1424/0/OutlookHealthCareandSocialAssistance.pdf
- Australia's Health Workforce Online 2008, Health Workforces in Australia and Factors for Current Shortages April 2009, National Health Workforce Taskforce, accessed 9 September 2010, www.ahwo.gov.au
- Queensland Health Online Services 2010, Evaluation of the Queensland Physician's Assistant Pilot - Final Report, August 2010, Queensland Government Health, accessed 3 October 2010, http://www.health.qld.gov.au/publications/pa_eval_final.pdf
