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. 2023 Sep 16;16(1):61.
doi: 10.1186/s13047-023-00657-5.

Financial characteristics and security of podiatry work in Victoria: the PAIGE cross sectional study of Australian podiatrists

Anna G Couch  1   2 , Terry Haines  3 , Belinda O'Sullivan  4   5 , Hylton B Menz  6 , Cylie M Williams  7   3
Affiliations

Financial characteristics and security of podiatry work in Victoria: the PAIGE cross sectional study of Australian podiatrists

Anna G Couch et al. J Foot Ankle Res. .

Abstract

Background: Podiatrists' earnings have an important influence on workforce dynamics. This includes the profession's ability to attract and retain workers so the population's healthcare needs can be met. This study aimed to describe financial characteristics of podiatry work and factors relating to a sense of financial security.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study using data from Victorian podiatrists who participated in Wave 1 of the Podiatrists in Australia: Investigating Graduate Employment (PAIGE) survey. Demographic and financial characteristics were described. The outcome measure, financial security, was collected through a self-reported belief based on current financial situation and prospects, respondents' perception of having enough income to live on when they retire. Univariate logistic regression was used to determine associations with rural or metropolitan practice locations. Multiple ordered logistic regression was performed to explore associations between factors relating to financial security and retirement prospects.

Results: There were 286 Victorian podiatrist (18% of n = 1,585 Victorian podiatrists) respondents. Of these, 206 (72% of n = 286) identified as female, 169 (59% of 286) worked in the private sector and the mean (SD) age was 33.4 (9.5) years. The mean (SD) annual gross income was $79,194 ($45,651) AUD, and 243 (87% of 279) made regular superannuation contributions. Multiple ordered logistic regression analyses identified factors associated with podiatrists' perception of having adequate retirement income. These included being an owner/partner of their main workplace (adj OR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.49-4.76), growing up in a rural location (adj OR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.38-3.70), perceiving a moderate overall health rating (adj OR = 2.03 95% CI = 1.51-2.75), not having financial debt related to education and training (adj OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.24-3.32) and regular contributions to a superannuation scheme (adj OR = 4.76, 95% CI = 2.27-10.00).

Conclusion: This is the first known study to explore podiatrists' earnings and perceptions regarding financial security. Findings suggest modifiable ways to improve financial security of podiatrists including support and education about personal and business finances including debt management, understanding the importance of contributions to superannuation when self-employed, and developing skills and supports for podiatrists to run their own businesses. This research is exploratory and is relevant for understanding the impact that income and financial security have on workforce dynamics.

Keywords: Earnings; Finances; Podiatry; Retirement; Rural; Workforce.

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Conflict of interest statement

CMW is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. It is journal policy that editors are removed from the peer review and editorial decision-making process for the papers that they have co-authored. All other authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Summary of data analysis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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