Table 2

Defining the RETURN elements of the social return on investment analysis (to be converted into $A 2024/25)

Elements of the social return of investment analysisNumber of people potentially affectedNumber of people actually affectedWhat will change?How will this be measured and valued*†
RETURN: Students Student’s intent to work in the rural area post-graduationTBCTBCOne student/health professional who is influenced to work, or continue to work, in a rural areaReference point: cost of rural allied health workforce turnover, inflated by the consumer price index https://www.abs.gov.au/
Students have an increased understanding of First Nations cultures (ways of knowing, being and doing that are contextually relevant to the Lachlan region)TBCTBCStudents have an increased understanding of First Nations culturesThis will be explored with First Nations peoples, as well as students, supervisors, host organisation staff and the community, during the interviews. Where appropriate, this will be further defined, quantified and valued from the different perspectives
Student connection to the First Nations communityTBCTBCImproved student connection to the First Nations community
Enhanced student learningTBCTBCEnhanced student learningIn addition to interview and survey data, the literature will be reviewed to further quantify the value
Enhanced student connection with the communityTBCTBCEnhanced student connection with the community
Enhanced student capabilities/skillsTBCTBCEnhanced student capabilities/skills. Each skill identified will be specified and valued
Enhanced student experience during placementTBCTBCEnhanced student experience during placement
Enhanced student sense of community belongingTBCTBCEnhanced student sense of community belonging
Enhanced student teamwork within the placement organisationTBCTBCEnhanced student teamwork within the placement organisation
Enhanced student teamwork external to the placement organisationTBCTBCEnhanced student teamwork external to the placement organisation
Unintended impacts described during the data collection periodTBCTBCTBC
RETURN: Organisations and clinical supervisors Health staff/supervisors have an increased understanding of First Nations cultures (ways of knowing, being and doing that are contextually relevant to the Lachlan region)TBCTBCHealth staff/supervisors have an increased understanding of First Nations culturesThis will be explored with First Nations peoples, as well as students, supervisors, host organisation staff and the community, during the interviews. Where appropriate, this will be further defined, quantified and valued from the different perspectives
Supervisor connection to the First Nations communityTBCTBCIncreased supervisor connection to the First Nations community
Enhanced supervisor connection with the communityTBCTBCEnhanced supervisor connection with the communityIn addition to interview and survey data, the literature will be reviewed to further quantify the value
Enhanced supervisor capabilities/skillsTBCTBCEnhanced supervisor capabilities/skills. Each skill identified will be specified and valued
Enhanced supervisor experience during placementTBCTBCEnhanced supervisor experience during placement
Enhanced supervisor sense of community belongingTBCTBCEnhanced supervisor sense of community belonging
Enhanced supervisor teamwork within the placement organisationTBCTBCEnhanced supervisor teamwork within the placement organisation
Enhanced supervisor teamwork external to the placement organisationTBCTBCEnhanced supervisor teamwork external to the placement organisation
Unintended impacts described during the data collection periodTBCTBCTBCThis will be explored with supervisors and host organisation staff during interviews
RETURN: Rural community Health worker employment and/or retention in rural areasTBCTBCIncreased health worker employment and/or retention in rural areasReference point: cost of rural allied health workforce turnover, inflated by the consumer price index https://www.abs.gov.au/
Stimulation of the local economy (including additional visitors in the region and student engagement in community activities)TBCTBCStimulation of the local economyIn addition to interview and survey data, the literature will be reviewed to further quantify the value
Increase in community referrals to health services (including the First Nations community)TBCTBCIncrease in community referrals to health services
Increase in community referrals to community-based programmes (including the First Nations community)TBCTBCIncrease in community referrals to community-based programmes
Increase in community engagement in health prevention programmes (including the First Nations community)TBCTBCIncrease in community engagement in health prevention programmes
Increase in community engagement in health education programmes (including the First Nations community)TBCTBCIncrease in community engagement in health education programmes
First Nations families and community members feel more comfortable talking to health professionalsTBCTBCFirst Nations families and community members feel more comfortable talking to health professionalsThis will be explored with First Nations peoples during interviews. Where appropriate, this will be further defined, quantified and valued from the perspective of First Nations peoples
First Nations families and community members build knowledge of health conditionsTBCTBCFirst Nations families and community members build knowledge of health conditions
Unintended impacts described during the data collection periodTBCTBCTBCThis will be explored with members of the community, during interviews
  • *Data collection will involve valuing the unit for each element and establishing the number of units for each element to allow extrapolation of costs across the RHMT programme.

  • †Where the value of a benefit cannot be captured as a dollar value via the surveys and interviews, the literature will be reviewed for a proxy valuation, and if this is not successful, a value will not be applied, and the benefit will only be described.