Access to health care services in an Australian rural area – a qualitative case study
- Le, Quynh, Nguyen, Hoang, Auckland, Stuart, Hoang, Ha, Terry, Daniel
- Authors: Le, Quynh , Nguyen, Hoang , Auckland, Stuart , Hoang, Ha , Terry, Daniel
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Annotative Interdisciplinary Research Vol. 1, no. 3 (2012), p. 29-36
- Full Text:
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- Description: The study is aimed at investigating access to primary health care by examining various access parameters such as availability, accessibility, and affordability in Meander Valley, Northern Tasmania, Australia. Qualitative research design and data analysis were adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 people that were recruited through convenience sampling. The findings indicated that participants generally expressed relative satisfaction with local health care service provision, although a number of participants cited satisfaction with some services and dissatisfaction with others. The main issues of concern were the absence of specialised, dental and after-hours care, high cost of services, and issues of access to transport. The resourcefulness of people with chronic health issues and their carers emerged as important, as was the relationship between lifestyle choices, alternative and mainstream health care options. This study revealed major barriers to health care access by residents in rural Australia, which calls for urgent corrective measures. Further research should be directed to the exploration of the experience and expertise of carers and health professionals so as to obtain a more complete picture of access to health care services in rural settings. In addition, the study recommends a thorough investigation of the alternative health care options.
- Authors: Le, Quynh , Nguyen, Hoang , Auckland, Stuart , Hoang, Ha , Terry, Daniel
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Annotative Interdisciplinary Research Vol. 1, no. 3 (2012), p. 29-36
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The study is aimed at investigating access to primary health care by examining various access parameters such as availability, accessibility, and affordability in Meander Valley, Northern Tasmania, Australia. Qualitative research design and data analysis were adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 people that were recruited through convenience sampling. The findings indicated that participants generally expressed relative satisfaction with local health care service provision, although a number of participants cited satisfaction with some services and dissatisfaction with others. The main issues of concern were the absence of specialised, dental and after-hours care, high cost of services, and issues of access to transport. The resourcefulness of people with chronic health issues and their carers emerged as important, as was the relationship between lifestyle choices, alternative and mainstream health care options. This study revealed major barriers to health care access by residents in rural Australia, which calls for urgent corrective measures. Further research should be directed to the exploration of the experience and expertise of carers and health professionals so as to obtain a more complete picture of access to health care services in rural settings. In addition, the study recommends a thorough investigation of the alternative health care options.
Living in a regional area : access, utilisation and health care quality
- Lê, Quynh, Auckland, Stuart, Nguyên, Hoang, Terry, Daniel, Hoang, Ha
- Authors: Lê, Quynh , Auckland, Stuart , Nguyên, Hoang , Terry, Daniel , Hoang, Ha
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Innovative Interdisciplinary Research Vol. 2, no. (2013), p. 20-32
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- Reviewed:
- Description: Primary health care plays a significant role in the well-being of individuals and communities, yet access to these services can vary. Factors such as socio-economic status and location of residence can impact this access. A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between location, utilisation, quality and health outcomes of primary health care services in the Meander Valley municipality of Tasmania, Australia. This paper reports the findings of the study which adopted a mixed-methods approach with multiple sources of data including government reports, survey questionnaires and interviews. The regional socio-economic disadvantage reflected not only the health disparities and poorer health conditions, but also the affordability to seek care. This was compounded by the lower levels of available health services and private health insurance. The lack of local services or their low quality was the main motivation for many to seek care outside of the region, which was unaffordable and at times logistically impossible. On the basis of the findings, a number of recommendations are provided to guide the current and future health care services and to improve the well-being of the Meander Valley community.
- Authors: Lê, Quynh , Auckland, Stuart , Nguyên, Hoang , Terry, Daniel , Hoang, Ha
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Innovative Interdisciplinary Research Vol. 2, no. (2013), p. 20-32
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Primary health care plays a significant role in the well-being of individuals and communities, yet access to these services can vary. Factors such as socio-economic status and location of residence can impact this access. A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between location, utilisation, quality and health outcomes of primary health care services in the Meander Valley municipality of Tasmania, Australia. This paper reports the findings of the study which adopted a mixed-methods approach with multiple sources of data including government reports, survey questionnaires and interviews. The regional socio-economic disadvantage reflected not only the health disparities and poorer health conditions, but also the affordability to seek care. This was compounded by the lower levels of available health services and private health insurance. The lack of local services or their low quality was the main motivation for many to seek care outside of the region, which was unaffordable and at times logistically impossible. On the basis of the findings, a number of recommendations are provided to guide the current and future health care services and to improve the well-being of the Meander Valley community.
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