Medical Research Future Fund Grant 2019

Funding for a new study on the disability health care workforce and the NDIS looking at clinical and community service provision for people with disabilities.

This project grant was originally awarded to Associate Professor Allison Milner. The Melbourne Academic Centre for Health (MACH) remains saddened by the sudden passing of A/Professor Milner in August 2019. Dr McAllister has taken over leadership of this project and will continue A/Professor Milner's work.

Clinical and community service provision for people with disabilities: Investigating the perspectives of the health care workforce and their clients

This study will provide information about how recent increases in the availability of care workers has led to changes in the health outcomes of people with disabilities following the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The research will also provide an in-depth exploration of how healthcare workers can facilitate improved health, economic and social outcomes for people with disabilities.

What is the problem?

The full-scale ‘roll out’ of the National Disability Insurance Scheme began in 2016 and represents the largest social welfare reform since the introduction of Medicare in Australia. This project will unpack the influence of federally imposed changes to disability service delivery on healthcare workers, as well as people with disabilities (PWD).

About the project

The study will provide information about how recent increases in the availability of care workers has led to changes in the health outcomes of people with disabilities. In addition, the research will also provide an in-depth exploration of how health and disability care workers can facilitate improved health, economic and social outcomes of PWD. The project will also achieve its aims by developing a partnership between healthcare staff and researchers, which will contribute to new service models benefiting both healthcare workers and PWD. This scoping study will strengthen community participation by working with key consumer groups such as PWD, hospitals, disability service providers, and Universities.

What will be the impact?

This study will provide information on the quality of work experienced by the healthcare workforce over time, as well as an understanding of how the nature of this employment may be related to outcomes for both healthcare workers and PWD. This is important information for the training of the workforce and for increasing knowledge about the impacts of care on the wellbeing of PWD and inform improvements in service delivery

Project Lead

Dr Ashley McAllister, Research Fellow, Disability and Health Unit, University of Melbourne