We recognise that a positive change in health outcomes requires timely access to health data, insights, and information. To better assist policymakers, health organisations, and all levels of government in decision-making about Aboriginal and rural health in Victoria, RWAV is launching the Victorian Health Workforce (VHW) Dashboard.
Why did RWAV create the VHW Dashboard?
Every year, the Department of Health provides funding to RWAV to capture the Health Workforce Needs Assessment (HWNA) for rural and indigenous communities in Victoria.
The HWNA identifies priority health occupations and hot spots, health practitioner skills and retirement intentions through public and private data, surveys, meetings and ongoing engagement with health practitioners and organisations on the ground.
RWAV and many other stakeholders use this information to inform equity, planning and sustainable improvements to Victoria’s rural and indigenous health outcomes.
We wanted to ensure that access to this information is timely, easy and useful.
Who can access the VHW Dashboard?
This is the first test version of the Dashboard. Currently, it is available to RWAV’s close stakeholders for testing and feedback. It’s an ongoing project to better develop a tool that can be used for all stakeholders and, eventually, the public.
How can the VHW Dashboard benefit you?
By testing and using this Dashboard, users can utilise RWAV’s Health Workforce Needs Assessment to assist with Health Workforce planning and decision-making activities, reducing “double handling” of data collection.
The transparency of RWAV’s work and priorities are also reflected in this presentation of the VHW Dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
While we recognise this is one measure in time (data was collected and analysed between October 2021 and February 2022), scientific methods include quantitative and qualitative methods and public and private data sources. Our team of clinicians, researchers, data analysts, and statisticians developed and applied validation methods to achieve these outcomes.
Additionally, the HWNA is endorsed by the Health Workforce Stakeholder Group (HWSG), which includes over 50 members representing key healthcare bodies for GPs, Allied Health Practitioners, Nurses and Specialist doctors.
Such figures are collected by the Department of Health. RWAV recommends the National Health Workforce Data set, which can be accessed via their data tool https://hwd.health.gov.au/datatool/. While you are there, check out their Resources page.
Additionally, the HWNA is endorsed by the Health Workforce Stakeholder Group (HWSG), which includes over 50 members representing key healthcare bodies for GPs, Allied Health Practitioners, Nurses and Specialist doctors.
Although RWAV can’t grant further access to raw data for privacy reasons, we can however share insights and further refine the VHW Dashboard in future. We welcome your feedback, questions and comments.
Please send us an email to Data@rwav.com.au and use the subject line “HWNA Dashboard”. Alternatively, select “Provide Feedback” in the top right corner of the VHW Dashboard, and you will be redirected to a contact form.
