Mrs Sarah Worth1
1Torres And Cape Hospital And Health Servie, , Australia
Biography:
Sarah is an experienced clinical leader with a long-standing commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery across rural and remote Queensland. As Director of Clinical Education, she provides strategic oversight, supports workforce capability, and leads initiatives that enhance the safety, quality, and cultural responsiveness of care. Sarah’s career spans diverse clinical and leadership roles, shaping her strong focus on collaborative practice, service improvement, and developing confident, skilled clinicians
Abstract:
Background
Clinicians in the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) operate in geographically isolated, culturally diverse regions. Traditional training focused on acute skills failed to prepare staff for the complex reality of Primary Health Care and cultural safety. A sustainable, supportive strategy was required to meet clinician and community needs.
Methods
We implemented the Transition to Remote Practice (TRP) program, a 12-month scaffolded pathway built on five pillars: Individual Learning Plans, contextualised simulation, On-Country education, strategic eLearning, and structured mentorship. Co-designed with First Nations leaders and Remote Directors of Nursing, the program was evaluated using the RE-AIM implementation science framework to evaluate implementation fidelity and impact.
Results
The program achieved 100% reach among new recruits. Managers consistently rated graduates >4/5 for clinical proficiency, with the highest scores in "Team Integration" and "Cultural Safety" (>4.5/5). Qualitative feedback indicated a profound shift from professional isolation to high self-efficacy, with participants reporting they no longer felt "thrown in the deep end".
Conclusion
The TRP demonstrates that embedding education "On-Country" improves workforce readiness and safety. These findings are now driving a "Grow Our Own" Clinical Nurse Consultant pathway, establishing a sustainable, culturally grounded leadership pipeline for the future of remote health.