Primary Health Care Models in Rural Australia
Author Information
Author(s): John Wakerman, John S. Humphreys, Robert Wells, Pim Kuipers, Philip Entwistle, Judith Jones
Primary Institution: Centre for Remote Health, Flinders University & Charles Darwin University
Hypothesis
What health service models work well in rural and remote Australia, where do they work, and why?
Conclusion
Sustainable health service models can effectively address the challenges posed by large distances and small populations in rural and remote Australia.
Supporting Evidence
- One third of Australians live outside major cities, facing poorer health outcomes.
- Different health service models are needed for rural areas compared to urban settings.
- Successful models can aggregate a critical service population mass to ensure adequate access to care.
Takeaway
This study looked at different ways to provide health care in small towns and remote areas of Australia, finding that some models work better than others depending on the location.
Methodology
The study systematically reviewed literature and data from peer-reviewed and grey literature to identify effective primary health care models.
Limitations
The review highlighted a lack of comprehensive evaluations of health service models, relying instead on descriptive studies.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on rural and remote communities in Australia, particularly those with populations under 5,000.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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