Abstract

The alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector has shown strong progress with regard to recognition, professionalism and international programs of training and credentialing. Yet little is known regarding the professional development (PD) needs of AOD workers, nor how these needs differ across career stages. Australian AOD workers (N = 812) from the government and non-government sectors completed an online survey. Early career workers (≤3 years’ AOD experience) were more likely than mid/late career workers to be non-government employed and earn less than the national average and were less likely to be AOD qualified and have permanent employment. Early career workers were more likely to nominate a need for PD in advanced clinical skills (86.3%, p ≤ .05), dual diagnoses/mental health (72.6%, p ≤ .001) and service delivery/partnerships/teamwork (66.4%, p ≤ .01). These findings highlight an urgent need for advanced skill development to accord with increasing complexity in AOD presentations. High quality care is founded on a skilled and experienced workforce; addressing the ubiquitous PD barriers of time, cost and access is a crucial workforce development priority best addressed through reform to systems of organisational funding, professional accreditation and curriculum development in AOD specialist and generalist health areas.

摘要

酒精和其他药物 (AOD) 部门在认可度、专业性以及国际培训和认证计划方面取得了显着进展。然而，对于 AOD 员工的专业发展 (PD) 需求，以及这些需求在职业阶段有何不同，我们知之甚少。 来自政府和非政府部门的澳大利亚 AOD 工作人员 ( N = 812) 完成了一项在线调查。早期职业工作者（≤3 年的 AOD 经验）比中/晚期职业工作者更有可能成为非政府雇员，收入低于全国平均水平，并且不太可能获得 AOD 资格和长期就业。早期职业工作者更有可能在高级临床技能 (86.3%, p ≤ .05)、双重诊断/心理健康 (72.6%,p ≤ .001) 和服务交付/伙伴关系/团队合作 (66.4%, p ≤ .01)。这些发现强调了对高级技能发展的迫切需要，以适应 AOD 演示中日益复杂的情况。高质量的护理建立在熟练且经验丰富的员工队伍之上；解决无处不在的 PD 时间、成本和访问障碍是劳动力发展的重要优先事项，最好通过改革 AOD 专家和全科卫生领域的组织资金、专业认证和课程开发系统来解决。