Journal articles on the topic 'Rural health services Queensland'
To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Rural health services Queensland.
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 journal articles for your research on the topic 'Rural health services Queensland.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse journal articles on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Wilkins, Julia. "The Royal Flying Doctor Service Flies to New Heights: The Journey of Health Information Management." Health Information Management Journal 38, no. 3 (October 2009): 51–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/183335830903800308.
Full textAbstract:
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) of Australia was founded in 1928 by the Reverend John Flynn to deliver health services to the people of the Australian Outback. In this unique environment the RFDS Queensland Section provides both Primary Health Care and Aeromedical services to rural and remote communities throughout Queensland. It provides health services from a hub and spoke model and its clinicians work very closely with other health service providers, such as Queensland Heath, within the communities it visits. Currently, the RFDS' health records are both paper and electronic and clinicians duplicate much of patient information and data between RFDS and non-RFDS health records. Introduction of an off-the-shelf electronic medical record (EMR) would not meet the RFDS' clinical and organisational needs because of complexity, the multidisciplinary nature of the teams and the lack of communication technology in the communities the RFDS visits. This article defines the vision for a health information system designed to meet the requirements of the RFDS, and describes its implementation throughout RFDS Queensland using the PRINCE2 project management methodology.
2
Kavalidou, Katerina, Samara McPhedran, and Diego De Leo. "Farmers’ contact with health care services prior to suicide: evidence for the role of general practitioners as an intervention point." Australian Journal of Primary Health 21, no. 1 (2015): 102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py13077.
Full textAbstract:
Suicide in Australian rural communities has received significant attention from researchers, health practitioners and policymakers. Farmers and agricultural workers have been a focus of particular interest, especially in relation to levels of help seeking for mental health concerns. A less explored area, however, is the level of contact that Australian farming and agriculture workers who die by suicide have had with health providers for physical, rather than mental, health conditions. It is often assumed that farmers and agricultural workers have lower levels of contact with health care services than other rural residents, although this assumption has not been well tested. Using data from the Queensland Suicide Register, this paper describes levels of contact with health care providers in the 3 months before death by suicide among men in farming and agriculture occupations and other occupations in rural Queensland. No significant differences were found in farming and agricultural workers’ levels of contact with a general practitioner when compared with other rural men in Queensland. The current findings lend weight to the view that rural general practitioners represent an important intervention point for farming and agriculture workers at risk of suicide (whether or not those individuals exhibit accompanying psychiatric illness).
3
Sabesan, Sabe, Clare Senko, Andrew Schmidt, Abhishek Joshi, Ritwik Pandey, Corinne A. Ryan, Megan Lyle, et al. "Enhancing Chemotherapy Capabilities in Rural Hospitals: Implementation of a Telechemotherapy Model (QReCS) in North Queensland, Australia." Journal of Oncology Practice 14, no. 7 (July 2018): e429-e437. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jop.18.00110.
Full textAbstract:
Introduction: The Queensland Remote Chemotherapy Supervision (QReCS) model enables rural nurses to administer chemotherapy in smaller rural towns under supervision by health professionals from larger centers using telehealth. Its implementation began in North Queensland, Australia (population, 650,000), in 2014 between two regional cancer centers (Townsville and Cairns as primary sites) and six rural sites (125 to 1,000 kilometers from primary sites). Our study examined the implementation processes, feasibility, and safety of this model. Methods: Details of implementation and patients’ clinical details for the period of 2014 to 2016 for descriptive analysis were extracted from telechemotherapy project notes and oncology information systems of North Queensland, respectively. Results: After a successful pilot study in Townsville Cancer Centre, statewide rural and cancer networks of Queensland Health, in collaboration with clinicians and managers across the state of Queensland, developed the QReCS model and a guide for operationalizing it. QReCS was implemented at six sites from 2014 to 2016. Main enablers across North Queensland included collaboration among clinicians and managers, availability of common electronic medical records, funding from Queensland Health, and installation of telehealth infrastructure by statewide telehealth services. Main barriers included turnover of senior management and nursing staff at two rural towns. Sixty-two patients received 327 cycles of low- to medium-risk chemotherapy agents. Rates of treatment delays, adverse events, and hospital admissions were similar to those in face-to-face care. Conclusion: Implementation of the QReCS model across a large geographic region is feasible with acceptable safety profiles. Leadership by and collaboration among clinicians and managers, adequacy of resources and common governance are key enablers.
4
Watson, Julie, Lee Gasser, Ilse Blignault, and Robyn Collins. "Taking telehealth to the bush: Lessons from north Queensland." Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare 7, no. 2_suppl (December 2001): 20–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/1357633011937344.
Full textAbstract:
Networking North Queensland (NNQ) was a two-year project to improve access to health services in rural and remote communities. The project involved email and Internet access in 61 communities, in a region almost three times the size of the UK. Videoconferencing equipment was also installed at 21 sites and a total of 197 h of videoconferencing was recorded at 10 of the remote sites over 12 months. As a result of the project, health consumers enjoyed improved access to medical, specialist, allied health and primary health services. In addition, health service providers had better access to reliable, up-to-date health-care information via intranet and Internet services. Consideration of local issues—local needs and existing resources—was vital to the achievements of the project. Community involvement and community access were also important factors in its success.
5
Bambling, Matthew, David Kavanagh, Gisela Lewis, Robert King, David King, Heidi Sturk, Merrill Turpin, Cindy Gallois, and Helen Bartlett. "Challenges faced by general practitioners and allied mental health services in providing mental health services in rural Queensland." Australian Journal of Rural Health 15, no. 2 (April 2007): 126–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1584.2007.00866.x.
Full text
6
Bartlett, Helen, Catherine Travers, Colleen Cartwright, Norman Smith, Helen Bartlett, Catherine Travers, Colleen Cartwright, and Norman Smith. "Mental Health Literacy in Rural Queensland: Results of a Community Survey." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 40, no. 9 (September 2006): 783–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/j.1440-1614.2006.01884.x.
Full textAbstract:
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the awareness of, and attitudes to, mental health issues in rural dwelling Queensland residents. A secondary objective was to provide baseline data of mental health literacy prior to the implementation of Australian Integrated Mental Health Initiative - a health promotion strategy aimed at improving the health outcomes of people with chronic or recurring mental disorders. Method: In 2004 a random sample of 2% (2132) of the estimated adult population in each of eight towns in rural Queensland was sent a postal survey and invited to participate in the project. A series of questions were asked based on a vignette describing a person suffering major depression. In addition, questions assessed respondents' awareness and perceptions of community mental health agencies. Results: Approximately one-third (36%) of those surveyed completed and returned the questionnaire. While a higher proportion of respondents (81%) correctly identified and labelled the problem in the vignette as depression than previously reported in Australian community surveys, the majority of respondents (66%) underestimated the prevalence of mental health problems in the community. Furthermore, a substantial number of respondents (37%) were unaware of agencies in their community to assist people with mental health issues while a majority of respondents (57.6%) considered that the services offered by those agencies were poor. Conclusion: While mental health literacy in rural Queensland appears to be comparable to other Australian regions, several gaps in knowledge were identified. This is in spite of recent widespread coverage of depression in the media and thus, there is a continuing need for mental health education in rural Queensland.
7
Anderson, Mark, and Alan Dugdale. "AMBULATORY SERVICES IN AN ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY AND A WEST QUEENSLAND RURAL AREA." Australian Journal of Rural Health 5, no. 3 (August 1997): 121–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1584.1997.tb00252.x.
Full text
8
Faulkner, Kathryn. "Successes and failures in videoconferencing: A community health education programme." Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare 7, no. 2_suppl (December 2001): 65–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/1357633011937182.
Full textAbstract:
Women's Health Queensland Wide began delivery of community education programmes for rural women via videoconferencing in the year 2000. A series of three, 90 min videoconference sessions from Brisbane were delivered to 13 sites in northern Queensland. The sessions related to health issues for women at midlife. The sessions were delivered by health experts in Brisbane, who provided a short presentation on their topic; the majority of the videoconference was dedicated to questions from the participants. Each site was supported by a technical coordinator, who ensured that the equipment functioned properly, and a local health worker, who facilitated women's participation in the videoconference as well as providing a local services perspective. Women's Health Queensland Wide was responsible for overall planning and promotion of the sessions. Feedback from these programmes demonstrated women's and health-care professionals’ acceptance of videoconferencing as a mechanism for receiving health information. Sustainability of these programmes depends upon the following issues: cost, delivery model, and the availability of appropriate technology and women-friendly sites.
9
Trott, Paul, and Ilse Blignault. "Cost evaluation of a telepsychiatry service in northern Queensland." Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare 4, no. 1_suppl (March 1998): 66–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/1357633981931515.
Full textAbstract:
We conducted a simple comparison of the costs associated with delivering a mental health service by telepsychiatry and by conventional methods. The telepsychiatry rural outreach service was delivered to a mining town 900km from the regional hospital in Townsville. When the telemedicine service was well established, 40 cases a month were seen for general adult psychiatry, four for child and adolescent mental health, four for psychology and two for forensic services. Costs and quality-of-life issues were considered. The savings to the health authority were estimated to be $85,380 in the first year and $112,790 in subsequent years, not allowing for maintenance and equipment upgrading. We also estimated a 40%reduction in patient transfers due to the introduction of telemedicine. Based on the previous year's figures of 27 transfers at $8920 each, this would produce an annual saving of $96,336 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The results of the study showed considerable savings from reduced travel by patients and health-care workers.
10
Wales, Jerry, and Jason Yates. "Peer review of rural and tertiary Queensland paediatric diabetes services: A pilot project from the National Health Service." Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 55, no. 6 (October 30, 2018): 701–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpc.14281.
Full text
11
Alsop, Maureen, Mark F. Harris, Gawaine Powell-Davies, Kristine Battye, and Karin Gerhardt. "Piloting Case Conferencing Between GPs and Mental Health Services: Phase II of the Northern Queensland Rural Division of General Practice Mental Health Program." Australian Journal of Primary Health 6, no. 2 (2000): 78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py00021.
Full textAbstract:
Phase two of the Northern Queensland Rural Division of General Practice Mental Health program involved the piloting of case conferencing between General Practitioners (GPs) and mental health professionals in three rural communities. The initial findings suggest that this model supports GPs by increasing their confidence in the management of patients with whom they find it most challenging to work. Mental health professionals indicate that the opportunity to consult with GPs on a regular basis is important to their clinical work, and see the primary focus of these consultations as a means for communicating with GPs. The case conferencing also led to modest improvements in relationships between GPs and mental health service providers.
12
Pandit, Tarsh, Robin A. Ray, and Sabe Sabesan. "Managing Emergencies in Rural North Queensland: The Feasibility of Teletraining." International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications 2018 (2018): 1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/8421346.
Full textAbstract:
Introduction. Historically, the use of videoconference technologies in emergency medicine training has been limited. Whilst there are anecdotal reports of the use of teletraining for emergency medicine by rural doctors in Australia, minimal evidence exists in the literature. This paper aimed to explore the use of teletraining in the context of managing emergency presentations in rural hospitals. Methods. Using a qualitative approach, a mixture of junior and senior doctors were invited to participate in semistructured interviews. Data were transcribed and analysed line by line. Applying the grounded theory principles of open and axial coding, themes and subthemes were generated. Results. A total of 20 interviews were conducted with rural doctors, rural doctors who are medical educators, and emergency medicine specialists. Two major themes—(1) teletraining as education and (2) personal considerations—and ten subthemes were evident from the data. Most participants had some previous experience with teletraining. Access to peer teaching over videoconference was requested by rural generalist registrars. There was a preference for interactive training sessions, over didactic lectures with little mention of technical barriers to engagement. The ability of teletraining to reduce professional isolation was a major benefit for doctors practicing in remote locations. Discussion. For these rural doctors, teletraining is a feasible method of education delivery. Wider application of teletraining such as its use in peer teaching needs to be explored. The benefits of teletraining suggest that teletraining models need to be core business for health services and training providers, including specialist colleges.
13
Taylor, Monica, Naomi Kikkawa, Elisabeth Hoehn, Helen Haydon, Maike Neuhaus, Anthony C. Smith, and Liam J. Caffery. "The importance of external clinical facilitation for a perinatal and infant telemental health service." Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare 25, no. 9 (October 2019): 566–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1357633x19870916.
Full textAbstract:
Introduction Clinical facilitation is an established strategy for introducing innovation into clinical practice. The Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health has used clinical facilitation to establish a telehealth service to support perinatal and infant mental health in regional, rural and remote areas of the Australian state of Queensland. The aim of this study is to explore the role of clinical facilitation in implementing and sustaining the telehealth service. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 remote-site users of the telehealth service. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Two dominant themes emerged: unmet need and service visibility. The study confirms the usefulness of telehealth as a way to address unmet need for specialist mental health services in regional, rural and remote areas. The study also provides evidence that a telehealth service with intermittent demand requires a consistent clinical facilitator, to keep the service visible to remote-site clinicians and maintain awareness of the service as a referral option. Conclusion Previous research has identified the importance of clinical facilitation in initial service implementation. This study demonstrates the necessity of clinical facilitation for ongoing service provision. Facilitation is likely to be more important where the telehealth service responds to intermittent or infrequent clinical need, compared with high-volume services where clinics are conducted routinely.
14
Veitch, Craig, Lisa Crossland, Heather Hanks, Yik-Hong Ho, and Marlous Steeghs. "Patients’ Experiences of Colorectal Cancer and Oncology Services in North Queensland." Australian Journal of Primary Health 14, no. 3 (2008): 93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py08041.
Full textAbstract:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for 15% of cancer incidence and mortality in Australia. Incidence rates have been rising for two decades. Little is known about the experiences, attitudes and perceptions of people with CRC who live in non-metropolitan areas. The aim of this study was to investigate participants? experiences with and attitudes to CRC. This Cancer Council of Queensland-funded project collected data in three phases - focus groups, individual interviews, postal survey - from patients treated for CRC in north Queensland. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to analyse the data. Participants had very little knowledge of CRC signs and symptoms pre-diagnosis, which sometimes led to delays in diagnosis. The speed of diagnosis was dependent on several practitioner-related factors. Treatment-related issues included coming to grips with the diagnosis and preparedness for treatment and side-effects. Personal beliefs and attitudes influenced treatment and follow-up decisions. Rural participants encountered travel-related difficulties, particularly during treatment as outpatients. There was a strong belief in the need for more public education about CRC in general, warning signs and symptoms, and familial risk factors. Good understanding of people?s knowledge of CRC, their attitudes towards screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, will enable health and cancer services provide focused and relevant support to people with CRC, their families and carers. This is especially important in non-metropolitan areas where the full range of specialist services is not locally available.
15
Alsop, Maureen, and Kristine Battye. "Integration of General Practitioners and Mental Health Services: The Northern Queensland Integrated Mental Health Program." Australian Journal of Primary Health 5, no. 2 (1999): 20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py99016.
Full textAbstract:
The Integrated Mental Health Program is a joint initiative of the Northern Queensland Rural Division of General Practice, Townsville Division of General Practice, and the Townsville District Integrated Mental Health Service (IMHS).The program seeks to empower general practitioners (GPs) to meet current gaps in mental health service delivery in North Queensland, and establish better liaison and integration of services provided by GPs and by hospital and community based mental health professionals. Sixty-three GPs and twenty-four mental health professionals were interviewed across the two divisions to identify barriers encountered in the management of people with mental health problems. The barriers identified fell into three broad categories: those related to referral, to discharge, and to communication. A two-week audit of the IMHS intake and discharge processes provided further data to clarify the difficulties involved in the integrated management of patients with mental health problems. Two-week audits are to be conducted at six monthly intervals throughout the course of the program as a tool for evaluation of the program's effectiveness. General findings from the audit indicate that, although the levelof GP referrals judged by mental health professionals to be inappropriate is low, the lack of information GPs provide when referring may create ambiguity regarding the appropriateness of their referrals, thus creating the perception that they make inappropriate referrals at a higher rate than is in fact the case. Strategies for improving communication between GPs and existing mental health services are being explored, with early initiatives towards a system of shared care being developed.
16
McGrath, Pam. "Overcoming the distance barrier in relation to treatment for haematology patients: Queensland findings." Australian Health Review 39, no. 3 (2015): 344. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ah14147.
Full textAbstract:
Objective The aim of the present study was to document the financial and psychosocial impact of relocation for specialist haematology treatment in Queensland. Methods This study was a qualitative exploratory study comprising 45 in-depth interviews with haematology patients supported by the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland. Results The findings indicate that decentralisation of treatment is assisting haematology patients to overcome the profound difficulties associated with travelling to the metropolitan area for treatment. Conclusion Fostering specialist outreach and building capacity in regional cancer centres are service delivery strategies that are greatly appreciated by regional, rural and remote haematology patients who are stressed by the many challenges associated with leaving home to travel distances for specialist treatment. It is the hope and expectation that these findings will make a contribution to informing future health policy and service delivery planning. What is known about the topic? Internationally, there is evidence of the benefits of visiting specialists and the development of local specialist services for cancer patients in regional and rural areas, but there is limited research on the topic in Australia. What does this paper add? The findings herein make a contribution to this area of research through an up-to-date, in-depth consumer perspective on non-metropolitan oncology hospital services for haematology patients in Queensland. The evidence indicates that the opportunity to avoid travel to the metropolitan treating hospitals for regional, rural and remote haematology patients is increasingly an option in Queensland and greatly appreciated by many of those who have this option. What are the implications for practitioners? The findings applaud the work of the health professionals providing the opportunity for regional specialist care for haematology patients. With regard to service delivery and health policy decision making, it is important to note that for patients positive about access to local treatment, psychosocial concerns (e.g. remaining at home, connection with family, avoidance of financial hardship) predominate in their reasoning about benefit. Thus, it is important that regional, rural and remote patients are offered greater choice in treatment options and have more involvement in decision making about specialist care.
17
Martin, Priya, Anne Hill, Nicky Graham, Geoff Argus, and Martelle Ford. "Sustaining rural interprofessional initiatives in the current landscape: A short report on interprofessional education in rural health services in Queensland." Australian Journal of Rural Health 29, no. 2 (April 2021): 245–47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ajr.12714.
Full text
18
Kennedy, Craig, and Peter Yellowlees. "A community-based approach to evaluation of health outcomes and costs for telepsychiatry in a rural population: Preliminary results." Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare 6, no. 1_suppl (February 2000): 155–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/1357633001934492.
Full textAbstract:
A pilot trial was established to support visiting psychiatric services and local public and private practitioners through the use of videoconferencing. The purpose of the trial was to determine whether people in the community received better health-care with telemedicine. A community-based approach was used to evaluate health outcomes, costs, utilization, accessibility, quality and needs for such services in a rural community in Queensland. Over a two-year period data were collected from 124 subjects who met the criteria of having a mental health problem or mental disorder. Nine further subjects refused to participate in the study. Only 32 subjects used videoconferencing to receive mental health services. Preliminary results did not show any significant improvements in wellbeing or quality of life, although the time span was relatively short. However, the results confirmed that the people were no worse off from a consumer or a practitioner perspective from using videoconferencing. Most consumers found that videoconferencing with a psychiatrist moderately or greatly helped them in managing their treatment, with 98% of them preferring to be offered videoconferencing in combination with local services. Overall, videoconferencing is a crucial part of enhancing psychiatry services in rural areas. However, it is not necessarily cost-effective for all consumers, general practitioners, psychiatrists, or the public mental health service.
19
Collins, Louisa, Paul Scuffham, and Sue Gargett. "Cost-analysis of gym-based versus home-based cardiac rehabilitation programs." Australian Health Review 24, no. 1 (2001): 51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ah010051.
Full textAbstract:
A cost-analysis of an existing gym-based program was compared with a proposed home-based program for deliveringcardiac rehabilitation services in West Moreton, Queensland. Cost and baseline data were collected on 95 cardiacrehabilitation patients living in Ipswich and West Moreton. Cost data included costs to the program funders andpatients. The average cost per patient rehabilitated was $1,933 in the gym-based program and $1,169 in the home-basedprogram. Adopting the lower cost home-based program would allow the services to be provided to many morepatients. The relevance of home-based rehabilitation programs for rural patients facing barriers accessing traditionalhospital- or gym-based programs is significant.
20
Fitzpatrick, Scott J., Tonelle Handley, Nic Powell, Donna Read, Kerry J. Inder, David Perkins, and Bronwyn K. Brew. "Suicide in rural Australia: A retrospective study of mental health problems, health-seeking and service utilisation." PLOS ONE 16, no. 7 (July 21, 2021): e0245271. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245271.
Full textAbstract:
Background Suicide rates are higher in rural Australia than in major cities, although the factors contributing to this are not well understood. This study highlights trends in suicide and examines the prevalence of mental health problems and service utilisation of non-Indigenous Australians by geographic remoteness in rural Australia. Methods A retrospective study of National Coronial Information System data of intentional self-harm deaths in rural New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania for 2010–2015 from the National Coronial Information System. Results There were 3163 closed cases of intentional self-harm deaths by non-Indigenous Australians for the period 2010–2015. The suicide rate of 12.7 deaths per 100,000 persons was 11% higher than the national Australian rate and increased with remoteness. Among people who died by suicide, up to 56% had a diagnosed mental illness, and a further 24% had undiagnosed symptoms. Reported diagnoses of mental illness decreased with remoteness, as did treatment for mental illness, particularly in men. The most reported diagnoses were mood disorders (70%), psychotic disorders (9%) and anxiety disorders (8%). In the six weeks before suicide, 22% of cases had visited any type of health service at least once, and 6% had visited two or more services. Medication alone accounted for 76% of all cases treated. Conclusions Higher suicide rates in rural areas, which increase with remoteness, may be attributable to decreasing diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, particularly in men. Less availability of mental health specialists coupled with socio-demographic factors within more remote areas may contribute to lower mental health diagnoses and treatment. Despite an emphasis on improving health-seeking and service accessibility in rural Australia, research is needed to determine factors related to the under-utilisation of services and treatment by specific groups vulnerable to death by suicide.
21
McGrath, Pam. "Post-treatment support for patients with haematological malignancies:findings from regional, rural and remote Queensland." Australian Health Review 23, no. 4 (2000): 142. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ah000142.
Full textAbstract:
Social support is a significant factor in the cancer patient's psychosocial wellbeing. This paper presents the findings ofrecent Queensland-based research that explored the experience of families returning home to the regional, rural andremote sector after a family member completed specialist treatment for a haematological malignancy and related blooddisorder in a major metropolitan centre.Family and friends are the key resource persons providing support. To a large degree, this is because of the absence ofalternative sources. Even support from health professionals can be problematic and for many the only source of supportis the specialist centre many hundreds of kilometres away. The primary response to developing supportive services needsto be through person to person contact either via telephone or newsletter. If targeted appropriately, there is alsoevidence that educational programs, support groups and volunteers would be an effective medium for providingsupport. Educating the local health professionals (GPs and nurses) about haematological conditions is a logicalextension of providing support to families.
22
Jirojwong, Sansnee, Robert MacLennan, and Nirmala Pandeya. "Do people in rural and remote Queensland delay using health services to manage the episodes of incapacity?" Health and Social Care in the Community 12, no. 3 (May 2004): 233–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2524.2004.00492.x.
Full text
23
Taylor, Selina, Alice Cairns, and Beverley Dawn Glass. "Feasibility, accessibility and acceptability a pharmacist-led ear health intervention at rural community pharmacies (LISTEN UP): a mixed-methods study in Queensland, Australia." BMJ Open 12, no. 4 (April 2022): e057011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057011.
Full textAbstract:
ObjectiveEar disease in rural and remote communities is occurring at high rates, with limited access to health services and health providers contributing to the problem. Community pharmacists are well-placed to provide expanded services to improve ear health in rural communities. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, accessibility and acceptability of a pharmacist-led intervention for ear disease in consumers presenting to community pharmacy.DesignProspective preintervention and postintervention mixed-methods study. An ethnographic lens of rural culture was applied to the descriptive qualitative component of the study.SettingTwo rural community pharmacies in Queensland, Australia.ParticipantsPeople aged 6 months or older, who present with an ear complaint to a participating community pharmacy.InterventionLISTEN UP (Locally Integrated Screening and Testing Ear aNd aUral Programme) is a community pharmacy-based intervention to improve the management of ear health. Trained pharmacists conducted ear examinations using otoscopy and tympanometry on consumers following a LISTEN UP protocol. They made recommendations including no treatment, pharmacy only products or general practitioner (GP) referral. Consumers were contacted 7 days later for follow-up.Results55 rural consumers participated in the study. The most commonly reported complaints were ‘blocked ear’ and ‘ear pain’. Pharmacists recommended over-the-counter products to two-thirds of the participants and referred one quarter to a GP. 90% (50/55) of the consumers were highly satisfied with the service and would recommend the service. All consumers described the service positively with particular reference to convenience, improved confidence and appreciation of the knowledge gained about their ear complaint. Pharmacists were motivated to upskill and manage workflow to incorporate the service and expected both consumers and GPs to be more accepting of future expanded services as a result of LISTEN UP. However, without funding to provide the service, during the study other remunerated pharmacy tasks took priority over providing LISTEN UP.ConclusionRural community pharmacists can provide an acceptable and accessible ear health service; however, it is not feasible without a clear funding structure to provide resources including additional pharmacists, equipment and training.Trial registration numberACTRN12620001297910.
24
Mundy, Linda, and Kaye Hewson. "Thinking outside the system: the integrated care experience in Queensland, Australia." Australian Journal of Primary Health 25, no. 4 (2019): 303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py18161.
Full textAbstract:
Health policy-makers are faced with a demand for health care that exceeds supply, driven in part by an ageing population and an increased prevalence of chronic disease. An integrated ‘people-centred’ model of care across primary, secondary and tertiary health care can strengthen the health system by streamlining services to improve the patient journey and outcomes. Integrated care offers an opportunity to reduce admissions and re-admissions to hospitals, reduce presentations to emergency departments and improve the capacity of outpatient clinics while delivering better outcomes to patients. Queensland’s $35 million Integrated Care Innovation Fund (ICIF) has provided seed funding to 24 projects covering a wide spectrum of chronic disease management and complex disease. Programs such as the ICIF offer an opportunity to provide a new approach to caring for vulnerable populations such as the frail and elderly; children with behavioural and developmental issues; children in out-of-home care; rural and remote populations; and people with mental health issues, whose care runs the risk of ‘falling through the cracks’ with conventional healthcare approaches.
25
Panzera, Annette June, Richard Murray, Ruth Stewart, Jane Mills, Neil Beaton, and Sarah Larkins. "Regional health workforce planning through action research: lessons for commissioning health services from a case study in Far North Queensland." Australian Journal of Primary Health 22, no. 1 (2016): 63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py15149.
Full textAbstract:
Creating a stable and sustainable health workforce in regional, rural and remote Australia has long been a challenge to health workforce planners, policy makers and researchers alike. Traditional health workforce planning is often reactive and assumes continuation of current patterns of healthcare utilisation. This demonstration project in Far North Queensland exemplifies how participatory regional health workforce planning processes can accurately model current and projected local workforce requirements. The recent establishment of Primary Health Networks (PHNs) with the intent to commission health services tailored to individual healthcare needs underlines the relevance of such an approach. This study used action research methodology informed by World Health Organization (WHO) systems thinking. Four cyclical stages of health workforce planning were followed: needs assessment; health service model redesign; skills-set assessment and workforce redesign; and development of a workforce and training plan. This study demonstrated that needs-based loco-regional health workforce planning can be achieved successfully through participatory processes with stakeholders. Stronger health systems and workforce training solutions were delivered by facilitating linkages and planning processes based on community need involving healthcare professionals across all disciplines and sectors. By focusing upon extending competencies and skills sets, local health professionals form a stable and sustainable local workforce. Concrete examples of initiatives generated from this process include developing a chronic disease inter-professional teaching clinic in a rural town and renal dialysis being delivered locally to an Aboriginal community. The growing trend of policy makers decentralising health funding, planning and accountability and rising health system costs increase the future utility of this approach. This type of planning can also assist the new PHNs to commission health services that meet the needs of the population and contribute to service and system improvement and innovation.
26
Matich, Paula, Caroline Harvey, Priscilla Page, Karen Johnston, Clare Jukka, Jane Hollins, and Sarah Larkins. "Young people’s perceptions of sexual and reproductive health in regional and rural Queensland: capturing the views of adolescents through reference groups and a user-friendly electronic survey." Sexual Health 12, no. 3 (2015): 231. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sh13131.
Full textAbstract:
Background Young people in regional and rural Queensland have difficulty accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Young people’s views regarding barriers and enablers for accessing SRH services and markers of quality are largely unknown. Methods: Young people’s perceptions regarding SRH services are explored through a cross-sectional study via eight reference group meetings and an electronic survey in four sites: Atherton Tablelands, Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Townsville. The survey, developed in consultation with young people, was administered online and face to face using tablet computers. Data from 391 rural and regional participants was precoded for bivariate comparisons involving χ2 and confidence interval (CI) tests. Results: The most valued markers of quality in SRH services defined by young people all related to staff characteristics. Young people preferred services where staff were friendly (87.3%; 95% CI: 83.8–90.8%), easy to talk to (91.4%; 95% CI: 88.5–94.3%), good listeners (95.4%; 95% CI: 93.2–97.6%) and did not judge them (90.5%; 95% CI: 87.4–93.6%). A model of SRH service delivery encompassed within general health services was highly valued by 58.9% (95% CI 53.7–64.1%). However, 36.2% (95% CI: 31.4–41.0%) preferred to seek care from SRH specialist services. Conclusions: Service provision can be improved by training, and retaining friendly, attentive and non-judgemental staff. A model of service provision that includes general health care and provides sexual health services may increase the acceptability and accessibility of SRH services among youth. Additionally, our study highlights the need for choice between general and specialist SRH services.
27
Mullan, Leanne, and David Skinner. "Evaluation of a visiting credentialled diabetes educator program in remote western Queensland, Australia." Australian Journal of Primary Health 28, no. 2 (February 11, 2022): 117–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py21235.
Full textAbstract:
Background: Within western Queensland (WQ), Australia, diabetes is the leading cause of potentially preventable hospitalisations and, in some areas, diabetes prevalence is up to 20%. To address inequity of access to diabetes-related services in remote areas of WQ, a visiting credentialled diabetes educator program (VCDEP) was developed. Using a fly-in, fly-out model of service delivery and supporting telehealth services, upskilling of rural primary healthcare professionals occurred and credentialled diabetes educator (CDE) accessibility increased in WQ. This study objectively measured the impact of the VCDEP. Methods: Practice report data from five representative VCDEP practices and five non-VCDEP practices were analysed using Pearson Chi-squared tests to ascertain associations in reporting of blood pressure (BP), HbA1c, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), total cholesterol, microalbumin, body mass index (BMI) and foot and eye examinations, as well as improvements in BP, HbA1c, eGFR, total cholesterol, microalbumin and BMI measures at two set date points. Results: In practices involved in the VCDEP, aggregated data indicated significant increases in reporting of HbA1c (P ≤ 0.001), eGFR (P ≤ 0.001), total cholesterol (P = 0.022) and foot assessments (P = 0.015). In contrast, aggregated data from practices not involved in the VCDEP identified significant decreases in the reporting of BP and eye examinations between October 2019 and March 2021 (P = 0.034 and P = 0.007 respectively). Decreases in reporting of HbA1c, eGFR, microalbumin, BMI and foot examinations were also found, although these did not reach statistical significance. Concernedly, across practices overall, HbA1c levels have risen, with a significant increase in the percentage of people with diabetes having a HbA1c >53 mmol/mol (7%) and >86 mmol/mol (10%) in March 2021 compared with October 2019 (P = 0.012 and P < 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Reporting of key diabetes indicators is greater among practices participating in the VCDEP than among practices not involved in the VCDEP. Further investigation and resource provision are required to address rising HbA1c levels in rural WQ, with a particular focus on the impacts of health literacy, social determinants of health and workforce challenges.
28
Sav, Adem, Michelle A. King, Fiona Kelly, Sara S. McMillan, Elizabeth Kendall, Jennifer A. Whitty, and Amanda J. Wheeler. "Self-management of chronic conditions in a rural and remote context." Australian Journal of Primary Health 21, no. 1 (2015): 90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py13084.
Full textAbstract:
Living in a rural or remote environment presents unique challenges for people with chronic conditions, mainly those created by limited health-care services and the physical and emotional isolation. Yet, research on how people self-manage their chronic conditions in such locations is limited. This study aims to contribute to research and clinical practice by describing the ways in which a diverse group of rural and remote people with a range of chronic conditions, and their unpaid carers, self-manage their conditions. Using semi-structured in-depth interviews, data was collected from a sample of 32 participants, residing in one of two regions of Australia: Mount Isa/North West region of Queensland and the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales. Our findings suggest that although self-managing in a rural and remote context requires many of the lifestyle changes necessary in urban areas, the uniqueness of the rural lifestyle and the limited availability of health care results in, at times, creative forms of self-management. Health-care professionals and policy makers need to be cognisant of the ways in which rural and remote residents modify self-management strategies to suit their needs, and help them develop self-management plans tailored to the realities of their rural environment.
29
McGrath, Pam. "Relocation for treatment for leukaemia: A description of need." Australian Health Review 21, no. 4 (1998): 143. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ah980143.
Full textAbstract:
As rural Queenslanders are isolated geographically due to dispersed populationpatterns, they are often required to travel long distances to access services, especiallyservices of a specialist nature. The distress of this relocation for treatment is particularlyintensified for patients with leukaemia and associated haematological disorders andtheir carers, as they must often relocate for long periods of time and face invasive anddemanding treatments away from the comfort of their own homes. Because suchtreatments are now highly technical and specialised, even patients from moreurbanised areas are also required to relocate for prolonged specialist treatment notavailable locally. Consequently, for many rural and urban patients with leukaemia,relocation for specialist treatment is a major concern.This discussion presents findings from recent research on a Queensland Governmentinitiative, the Patient Transit Assistance Scheme, designed to address this concern.These findings indicate a high level of hardship for these patients and their familieswho must travel long distances, often relocate for long periods, and endure additionalfinancial burdens at a time when a majority are dependent on government assistance.
30
Mundy, Linda, Sarah Howard, Liam McQueen, Jacqui Thomson, and Kaye Hewson. "Fostering healthcare innovation in public hospitals: the Queensland experience." Australian Health Review 43, no. 6 (2019): 672. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ah18055.
Full textAbstract:
Faced with scarce resources and a demand for health care that exceeds supply, health policy makers at all levels of government need to adopt some form of rationing when deciding which health services should be funded in the public health system. With a relatively small investment, programs such as Queensland Health’s New Technology Funding Evaluation Program (NTFEP) fosters innovation by providing funding and pilot studies for new and innovative healthcare technologies. The NTFEP assists policy makers to make informed decisions regarding investments in new safe and effective technologies based on available evidence gathered from real-world settings relevant to Queensland patients and clinicians. In addition, the NTFEP allows appropriate patient access, especially in rural and remote locations, to potentially beneficial technologies and acts a gatekeeper, protecting them from technologies that may be detrimental or harmful. What is known about the topic? Jurisdictions have struggled to identify ways to manage the introduction of new and innovative health technologies into clinical practice. The 2009 review of health technology in Australia recommended better assessment and appraisal by ensuring real-life practices in hospitals and community settings were considered, with a consumer and patient focus. What does this paper add? Queensland Health’s NTFEP provides a robust and transparent mechanism to manage the introduction of innovative healthcare technologies into clinical practice, providing an opportunity to collect real-world data outside of formal clinical trials. These data can not only be used to inform clinical, but also purchasing, decision-making within the public health system. This model of investment and innovation has the potential to be implemented in other jurisdictions and provide opportunities to share learnings. What are the implications for practitioners? Programs such as the NTFEP provide reassurance to practitioners and patients alike that innovative healthcare technologies are adopted in public hospitals using an evidence-based approach after demonstrating that they are not only safe and clinically effective, but represent value for money and improved patient outcomes in a public health system.
31
Tan, Amy Chen Wee, Lynne Emmerton, Laetitia Hattingh, and Victoria Jarvis. "Medication supply and management in rural Queensland: Views of key informants in health service provision." Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy 8, no. 5 (September 2012): 420–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2011.11.001.
Full text
32
Keogh, Kandice, Paul Clark, Patricia C. Valery, Steven M. McPhail, Candise Bradshaw, Melany Day, and Anthony C. Smith. "Use of telehealth to treat and manage chronic viral hepatitis in regional Queensland." Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare 22, no. 8 (October 30, 2016): 459–64. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1357633x16673794.
Full textAbstract:
For regional and rural Queenslanders, chronic viral hepatitis treatment is a major unmet health need, with restricted access to specialists outside of tertiary, largely metropolitan hospitals. To increase treatment of chronic viral hepatitis in regional Queensland, a team-based telehealth model was expanded. This expansion embedded an initial nursing consultation prior to specialist telehealth consultation. We conducted a retrospective audit of the introduction and expansion of hepatology telehealth services. Activity from July 2014–June 2015 (pre-expansion) was compared with July 2015– June 2016 (post-expansion). Interviews were conducted with key staff to determine factors contributing to success of the service and identify ongoing challenges to the service model. A greater than four-fold increase in clinical consultation was observed (131 telehealth consultations pre-expansion vs 572 post-expansion; p < 0.001). The failure to attend rate decreased (13.0% vs 6.5%, pre vs post-expansion respectively; p = 0.030), suggesting engagement with the service increased. Staff cited nurse-conducted primary assessment prior to specialist consultation and personalised patient treatment packs as key contributors to increased patient flow and engagement. This expanded team approach appears effective in delivering specialised treatment to an underserved area in regional Central Queensland. It may serve as a model to further expand telehealth management of chronic disease for regional Queenslanders.
33
Fitts, Michelle S., John Humphreys, Terry Dunbar, Lisa Bourke, Edward Mulholland, Steven Guthridge, Yuejen Zhao, et al. "Understanding and responding to the cost and health impact of short-term health staffing in remote and rural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health services: a mixed methods study protocol." BMJ Open 11, no. 8 (August 2021): e043902. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043902.
Full textAbstract:
IntroductionAccess to high-quality primary healthcare is limited for remote residents in Australia. Increasingly, remote health services are reliant on short-term or ‘fly-in, fly-out/drive-in, drive-out’ health workforce to deliver primary healthcare. A key strategy to achieving health service access equity, particularly evident in remote Australia, has been the development of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs). This study aims to generate new knowledge about (1) the impact of short-term staffing in remote and rural ACCHSs on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; (2) the potential mitigating effect of community control; and (3) effective, context-specific evidence-based retention strategies.Methods and analysisThis paper describes a 3-year, mixed methods study involving 12 ACCHSs across three states. The methods are situated within an evidence-based programme logic framework for rural and remote primary healthcare services. Quantitative data will be used to describe staffing stability and turnover, with multiple regression analyses to determine associations between independent variables (population size, geographical remoteness, resident staff turnover and socioeconomic status) and dependent variables related to patient care, service cost, quality and effectiveness. Qualitative assessment will include interviews and focus groups with clinical staff, clinic users, regionally-based retrieval staff and representatives of jurisdictional peak bodies for the ACCHS sector, to understand the impact of short-term staff on quality and continuity of patient care, as well as satisfaction and acceptability of services.Ethics and disseminationThe study has ethics approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Northern Territory Department of Health and Menzies School of Health Research (project number DR03171), Central Australian Human Research Ethics Committee (CA-19-3493), Western Australian Aboriginal Health Ethics Committee (WAAHEC-938) and Far North Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/2019/QCH/56393). Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, the project steering committee and community/stakeholder engagement activities to be determined by each ACCHS.
34
Cashman, Colette, Sandra G. Downing, and Darren Russell. "Women’s experiences of accessing a medical termination of pregnancy through a Queensland regional sexual health service: a qualitative study." Sexual Health 18, no. 3 (2021): 232. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sh20220.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract Background An estimated 25% of Australian women will undergo induced abortion. Few studies have explored Australian women’s experiences of accessing medical termination of pregnancy (MToP). This study explored the experiences of women accessing MToP through a regional sexual health service in North Queensland. It aimed to determine the aspects of the process from seeking information about abortion to completion that worked well and to identify areas for improvement. Methods. Semi-structured telephone interviews with 11 women who accessed MTOP at Cairns Sexual Health Service (CSHS) were conducted. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A deductive analysis approach was used to analyse the data. Results. Most women had little prior knowledge of MToP or access options and used the Internet to source information. Accessing MToP through a sexual health service was considered positive, non-judgemental, discrete and low-cost despite challenges of fitting in with appointment times and obtaining off-site ultrasound. GPs did not always provide referral; some women described experiences of stigma, discrimination and judgemental care during consultation and when obtaining ultrasounds. Concern for women living in more rural/remote areas was raised. Potential solutions including increased provision through rural general practitioners (GPs) and telehealth. Conclusion. Our study highlights the need for greater awareness of abortion options and access points among the community and healthcare providers. Access through sexual health clinics in regional settings is accepted; however, other options such as increased provision through rural GPs, primary health clinics, telehealth and nurse-led models of care could help overcome some of the barriers faced by rural and remote women.
35
Kitchener, Scott. "Local and regional workforce return on investment from sponsoring rural generalist-based training for medical students." Australian Health Review 45, no. 2 (2021): 230. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ah19090.
Full textAbstract:
The objective of this case study was to examine and evaluate the retention of medical graduates for a hospital and health service partnering with a university to deliver a rural medical program. Eight cohorts of the Griffith Rural Medical Longlook program were followed for workforce outcomes, including both rural and local workforce outcomes for the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service (DDHHS) and the region. The DDHHS partnered with Griffith Health for capital investment in the region, creating three main campuses in rural generalist hospitals and augmented resources in other rural health facilities. Most (60%) medical graduates placed for a year or more on the Longlook program chose regional internships in Queensland, including 31% who chose internship in the DDHHS. Students spending 2 years on the program in the DDHHS were more likely to remain for local internship (odds ratio (OR) 5.7) and to be practicing locally after internship (OR 3.3). Local retention of medical graduates from the partnership between the Faculty of Health at Griffith University and the DDHHS to establish and conduct the Rural Medical Longlook Program includes resourcing and utilisation of spare training capacity in rural generalist hospitals and in addressing junior medical workforce recruitment. What is known about the topic?Rural medical programs improve choice of regional centres for early career placements. Rural longitudinal integrated clerkships (LICs) are effective in influencing regional choices for early medical career placements. What does this paper add?This was a case study on the local retention of medical graduates for health services sponsoring rural medical programs. LICs are sustainable in rural generalist hospitals to increase clinical training capacity. There is evidence for longer rural placements improving rural retention, specific for rural LICs. Longer LICs are more effective in influencing regional internship choices and regional retention, as well as local internship choice and local retention. What are the implications for practitioners?Investment in increasing clinical training capacity in rural generalist health facilities can produce significant retention of medical graduates for the junior medical workforce. Retaining students in the regional health service for longer periods increases the likelihood of retention upon graduation.
36
Martin, Priya, Anne Hill, Martelle Ford, Tessa Barnett, Nicky Graham, and Geoff Argus. "A Novel Interprofessional Education and Supervision Student Placement Model: Student and Clinical Educator Perspectives and Experiences." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 17 (August 29, 2022): 10734. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710734.
Full textAbstract:
Interprofessional student placements can not only cater to the added pressures on student placement numbers but can also enhance the work readiness of new graduates. For rural areas, there is a potential for interprofessional student placements to attract the future healthcare workforce. However, tried and tested models of interprofessional placements in rural areas backed up by rigorous evaluation, remain scarce. The Rural Interprofessional Education and Supervision (RIPES) model was developed, implemented, and evaluated across four rural health services in Queensland to address this gap. Students from two or more professions undertook concurrent placements at RIPES sites, with a placement overlap period of at least five weeks. Eleven focus groups (n = 58) with clinical educators (CEs) and students were conducted to explore student and clinical educator experiences and perspectives. Content analysis of focus group data resulted in the development of the following categories: value of the RIPES placement model, unintended benefits to CEs, work units and rural areas, tension between uni-professional and IPE components, and sustainability considerations. Students and CEs alike valued the learning which arose from participation in the model and the positive flow-on effects to both patient care and work units. This unique study was undertaken in response to previous calls to address a gap in interprofessional education models in rural areas. It involved students from multiple professions and universities, explored perspectives and experiences from multiple stakeholders, and followed international best practice interprofessional education research recommendations. Findings can inform the future use and sustainability of the RIPES model.
37
Wenke, Rachel J., Anna Tynan, Annette Scott, and Sharon Mickan. "Effects and mechanisms of an allied health research position in a Queensland regional and rural health service: a descriptive case study." Australian Health Review 42, no. 6 (2018): 667. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ah17086.
Full textAbstract:
The aim of the present case study is to illustrate the outcomes of a dedicated allied health (AH) research position within a large Queensland regional and rural health service. The secondary aim of the case study is to describe the enabling and hindering mechanisms to the success of the role. Semistructured interviews were conducted with the Executive Director of Allied Health and the current AH research fellow incumbent within the health service. A focus group was also undertaken with six stakeholders (e.g. clinicians, team leaders) who had engaged with the research position. Outcomes of the AH research fellow included clinical and service improvements, enhanced research culture and staff up-skilling, development of research infrastructure and the formation of strategic research collaborations. Despite being a sole position in a geographically expansive health service with constrained resources, key enabling mechanisms to the success of the role were identified, including strong advocacy and regular communication with the Executive. In conclusion, the case study highlights the potential value of an AH research position in building research capacity within a large non-metropolitan health service. Factors to facilitate ongoing success could include additional research and administrative funding, as well as increased use of technology and team-based research. What is known about the topic? Dedicated research positions embedded within health care settings are a well cited strategy to increase research capacity building of allied health professionals (AHPs). However the majority of these positions are within metropolitan health settings and unique challenges exist for these roles in regional and rural areas. Few studies have described the impact of dedicated AH research positions within regional health centres or the factors which facilitate or hinder their role. What does this paper add? Dedicated research positions within a non-metropolitan Australian health service may have a positive impact on AH clinical services, research culture, staff upskilling, research infrastructure and research collaborations. Key enabling mechanisms to support the role may include advocacy from higher level management, strong networks and communication channels. Additional research and administrative funding, the use of technology and team based research may enhance sustainability of such roles. What are the implications for practitioners? AH research positions have potential value in building research capacity within a large non-metropolitan health service. Health managers and researchers should be aware of the unique challenges to these roles and consider mechanisms that may best enhance and sustain outcomes of the positions including: the development of infrastructure (i.e. technology, website of resources), networks, and communication strategies (i.e. regular meetings with leadership and promotion internally).
38
Kwedza, Ruyamuro K., Sarah Larkins, Julie K. Johnson, and Nicholas Zwar. "Perspectives of rural and remote primary healthcare services on the meaning and goals of clinical governance." Australian Journal of Primary Health 23, no. 5 (2017): 451. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py16168.
Full textAbstract:
Definitions of clinical governance are varied and there is no one agreed model. This paper explored the perspectives of rural and remote primary healthcare services, located in North Queensland, Australia, on the meaning and goals of clinical governance. The study followed an embedded multiple case study design with semi-structured interviews, document analysis and non-participant observation. Participants included clinicians, non-clinical support staff, managers and executives. Similarities and differences in the understanding of clinical governance between health centre and committee case studies were evident. Almost one-third of participants were unfamiliar with the term or were unsure of its meaning; alongside limited documentation of a definition. Although most cases linked the concept of clinical governance to key terms, many lacked a comprehensive understanding. Similarities between cases included viewing clinical governance as a management and administrative function. Differences included committee members’ alignment of clinical governance with corporate governance and frontline staff associating clinical governance with staff safety. Document analysis offered further insight into these perspectives. Clinical governance is well-documented as an expected organisational requirement, including in rural and remote areas where geographic, workforce and demographic factors pose additional challenges to quality and safety. However, in reality, it is not clearly, similarly or comprehensively understood by all participants.
39
Fletcher, James, Sebastian Kang, Amy Brown, Sabe S. Sabesan, Megan Lyle, Ritwik Pandey, Andrew Lui, et al. "Administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors using teleoncology model of care in Far North Queensland: A multicenter review of safety outcomes." Journal of Clinical Oncology 38, no. 15_suppl (May 20, 2020): 2084. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.2084.
Full textAbstract:
2084 Background: The Teleoncology model of care, as developed and implemented across health services in Far North Queensland (Australia), improves access to specialist oncology services, including telehealth supervised administration of Oncology drugs for patients in rural/remote towns. There is limited published data regarding the safety of checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy when it is administered via Teleoncology. Aim: Evaluate safety of immunotherapy administration via Teleoncology, including immune-related adverse events (irAE), treatment delays, hospital admissions and interhospital transfers, in comparison to a retrospective control population. Methods: Retrospective review of all patients treated with immunotherapy via Teleoncology as part of Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) and the Townsville Teleoncology Network (TTN) between January 2015 and April 2019. A retrospective cohort treated at Townsville Cancer Centre over the same time period was used as a control group. Results: Fifty-one patients received a total of 624 cycles of immunotherapy (all single agent anti-PD-1/L-1) via Teleoncology. The control population included 142 patients who received 1697 cycles of immunotherapy. Baseline characteristics were well matched between groups. Compared to the control population, patients treated via telehealth did not have statistically significant differences in the rate of Grade 3+ irAE (13.7% v 8%), hospital admissions (13.7% v 7.4%) or protocol suspensions due to immune toxicity (16% v 10%). One patient with Grade 3+ irAE required interhospital transfer for investigation and management, which occurred within 24 hours of presentation to hospital. There were no treatment-related mortalities in either group. Conclusions: Checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy can safely be delivered using the Teleoncology model of care in rural and remote centres. The incidence of toxicity for single agent immunotherapy was predictably low and not significantly different between groups, however the numbers in this retrospective study were small. The time to recognition and management of immune mediated toxicity in rural and remote centres is an important factor that was not assessed in this study and will be considered in future work.
40
Smith, Anthony C., Stephen Stathis, Angela Randell, Denisse Best, Ven-Nice Ryan, Emma Bergwever, Frank Keegan, Eliza Fraser, Paul Scuffham, and Richard Wootton. "A cost-minimization analysis of a telepaediatric mental health service for patients in rural and remote Queensland." Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare 13, no. 3_suppl (December 2007): 79–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/135763307783247239.
Full text
41
Toohill, Jocelyn, Yogesh Chadha, and Shelley Nowlan. "An interactive decision-making framework (i-DMF) to scale up maternity continuity of carer models." Journal of Research in Nursing 25, no. 6-7 (January 17, 2020): 561–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1744987119887424.
Full textAbstract:
Background Low numbers of women in Queensland receive continuity of care across their maternity episode. The Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer was tasked with strengthening maternity service delivery by reviewing and improving Maternity Models of Care and Workforce. Aim Develop a decision-making framework (DMF) to increase maternity continuity of carer models. Method A literature review of models, specific to the public health maternity system, including suitability to rural areas and culturally appropriate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women was undertaken. Stakeholders informed development of the framework and toolkit. A prototype was built, tested and refined following input from rural, regional and metropolitan facilities. Results 42 questions guide services to contextualise delivery of continuity of carer to local circumstances. Three rural sites have applied the i-DMF and toolkit. One used the tool for quality assurance of their existing midwifery continuity model, another has developed a midwifery continuity-of-carer model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, the other is looking to establish a local rural birth service. Conclusion The i-DMF has potential to grow and sustain best practice maternity care, and particularly enable more women to receive relationship-based care with a known midwife.
42
Taylor, Sandra, Jo Mensinga, Jennifer Casey, and Barbie Caldwell. "Implementing and evaluating an alternative model for training field work educators." Journal of Practice Teaching and Learning 8, no. 1 (December 20, 2012): 51–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1921/jpts.v8i1.363.
Full textAbstract:
In conjunction with academic social work educators, fieldwork supervisors are significant and influential instructors of emerging social work practitioners. This partnership is typically enhanced by universities offering training for fieldwork supervisors to assist and support them in their important roles. This can be challenging however in flexibly delivered programs where supervisors may be located in areas distant from the universities with which students are affiliated. Further, within the current human services context particularly in rural areas, fieldwork education is becoming increasingly subject to a range of organisational and policy imperatives that have the potential to limit the capacity of fieldwork supervisors to proactively engage with social work education This paper describes a pilot project developed and evaluated in Central Queensland Australia which aimed to address some of these challenges. A multi-facetted approach to training, mentoring and supporting fieldwork supervisors of social work students on practicum was developed and implemented across diverse organisational and geographical contexts. Findings of the evaluation and implications for fieldwork education are presented.
43
McGrath, Pam. "Haematology patients’ desire to access metropolitan hospital expertise." Australian Health Review 40, no. 3 (2016): 251. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ah15006.
Full textAbstract:
Objective To date, there is limited research to inform an understanding of cancer patients’ choice as to location of treatment. This paper makes a contribution by providing findings on a group of regional, rural and remote cancer patients, namely those diagnosed with a haematological malignancy, who have to relocate for specialist care in Queensland, Australia. Methods A descriptive qualitative method was used based on 45 in-depth interviews with haematology patients living in Queensland who were supported by the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland. Results Four key factors were found to affect the decision making of patients who prefer to travel to metropolitan hospitals for specialist haematology treatments, namely access to own doctor, bonds and familiarity with metropolitan staff, desire for ‘quality’ specialist care and a distrust of local clinical care and, for some, the absence of usual barriers to visiting the metropolitan area. Conclusions There are a group of patients who have experiences that lead them to distrust non-metropolitan hospitals and motivate them to travel long distances to attend specialist treating centres for ‘quality’ care. The literature affirms the concerns of this group. It is the hope and expectation in publishing this article that these patients’ concerns will be taken into consideration in the development of health services and policy so that eventually all regional, rural and remote patients will be provided with equitable choice with regard to the location of accessing specialist care. What is known about the topic? The literature on haematology patients’ experiences with and preferences for local verses metropolitan hospital treatment is limited. What does this paper add? To date, research on relocation for specialist treatment has documented the hardships for both patients and their families associated with distance from major treating hospitals. Although affirming the difficulties associated with travel and the desire of most haematology patients to be treated locally, this article completes the picture with detailed findings on a subset of patients who would prefer to travel to a metropolitan centre for treatment. What are the implications for practitioners? The issues with regard to relocation for specialist treatment are complex and associated with a range of ‘trade-offs’, both positive and negative, for haematology patients. Thus, with regard to both service delivery and health policy decision making, the full range of factors needs to be taken into consideration. This paper indicates that, for a subgroup of haematology patients, their experience and beliefs about issues of quality of care are paramount.
44
Salvador-Carulla, Luis, Ana Fernandez, Haribondhu Sarma, John Mendoza, Marion Wands, Coralie Gandre, Karine Chevreul, and Sue Lukersmith. "Impact of Ed-LinQ: A Public Policy Strategy to Facilitate Engagement between Schools and the Mental Health Care System in Queensland, Australia." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 15 (July 27, 2021): 7924. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157924.
Full textAbstract:
Ed-LinQ is a mental health policy initiative to enhance the early detection and treatment of children with mental illness by improving the liaison between schools and health services in Queensland, Australia. We measured its impact from policy to practice to inform further program developments and public strategies. We followed a mixed quantitative/qualitative approach. The Adoption Impact Ladder (AIL) was used to analyse the adoption of this initiative by end-users (decision makers both in the health and education sectors) and the penetration of the initiative in the school sector. Survey respondents included representatives of schools (n = 186) and mental health providers (n = 78). In total, 63% of the school representative respondents were at least aware of the existence of the Ed-LinQ initiative, 74% were satisfied with the initiative and 28% of the respondent schools adopted the initiative to a significant extent. Adoption was higher in urban districts and in the health sector. The overall level of penetration in the school sector of Queensland was low (3%). The qualitative analysis indicated an improvement in the referral and communication processes between schools and the health sectors and the importance of funding in the implementation of the initiative. Mapping of existing programs is needed to assess the implementation of a new one as well as the design of different implementation strategies for urban and rural areas. Assessing the adoption of health policy strategies and their penetration in a target audience is critical to understand their proportional impacts across a defined ecosystem and constitutes a necessary preliminary step for the evaluation of their quality and efficiency.
45
Hegney, Desley, Robert Eley, Elizabeth Buikstra, Sharon Rees, and Elizabeth Patterson. "Consumers' Level of Comfort with an Advanced Practice Role for Registered Nurses in General Practice: A Queensland, Australia, Study." Australian Journal of Primary Health 12, no. 3 (2006): 44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py06044.
Full textAbstract:
A study was carried out in Queensland, Australia, which aimed to ascertain how comfortable consumers were with both the current and an expanded practice role for nurses employed in general practice. Consumers from metropolitan, rural and remote areas were represented. The self-report questionnaire was completed by 87 females and 19 males. Consumers rated their level of comfort from very comfortable to very uncomfortable on a five-point scale in nurses performing 24 different routine and advanced procedures. They were most comfortable with nurses giving vaccinations and managing treatment of wounds and less comfortable with nurses diagnosing and treating minor illnesses. Overall, consumers were very comfortable with nurses performing what may be considered traditional roles of the practice nurse. They were less comfortable with the more extended roles that are seen more as the traditional role of the general practitioner. However, for no procedure were consumers uncomfortable with nurses performing that task. There were no differences in responses due to consumers' age, sex or previous contact with practice nurses. These results may be used to expand the role of practice nurses to complement the services provided by general practitioners.
46
Poulson, Louise K., Lisa Nissen, and Ian Coombes. "Pharmaceutical review using telemedicine – a before and after feasibility study." Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare 16, no. 2 (February 5, 2010): 95–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/jtt.2009.090716.
Full textAbstract:
Only 42 of the 116 public hospitals in Queensland employ qualified pharmacists to staff their pharmacies. We undertook a feasibility study to determine if pharmaceutical reviews, undertaken face-to-face by a visiting pharmacist, could be replicated using telemedicine. The study was conducted in two phases, with the same pharmacist coordinating the project from the main hospital to two rural hospitals, which relied on supply nurses for all their pharmaceutical services. All inpatients admitted between October 2006 and May 2007 were included in the study. In Phase I the pharmacist made weekly visits to both facilities, to perform face-to-face pharmaceutical reviews of the current inpatients. In Phase 2, all pharmaceutical reviews were performed remotely by the pharmacist by telephone or videoconference. In Phase 1, 186 pharmaceutical activities were performed (mean 3.9 per patient). Of these, 78 pharmacist-initiated changes were recommended and 47 (60%) were implemented. In Phase 2, a total of 296 activities were performed (mean 3.1 per patient) and of the 140 recommendations made by the remote pharmacist, 74 (53%) were accepted. Of the accepted recommendations, there were 11 major interventions (those with a potential to prevent harm to the patient) in Phase 1 and 32 in Phase 2. There were no significant differences in the pharmaceutical activity rates in the two phases. Telepharmacy therefore may be an effective method of providing pharmaceutical reviews for patients in rural inpatient facilities, without an on-site pharmacist.
47
Mullan, Leanne, Karen Wynter, Andrea Driscoll, and Bodil Rasmussen. "Barriers and enablers to providing preventative and early intervention diabetes-related foot care: a qualitative study of primary care healthcare professionals' perceptions." Australian Journal of Primary Health 27, no. 4 (2021): 319. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py20235.
Full textAbstract:
This study explored the perceived healthcare system and process barriers and enablers experienced by GPs and Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) in Australian primary care, in the delivery of preventative and early intervention foot care to people with diabetes. A qualitative design with inductive analysis approach was utilised and reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with two GPs and 14 CDEs from rural, urban and metropolitan areas of Australia. Participants were from New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. Barriers to providing foot care constituted five broad themes: (1) lack of access to footcare specialists and services; (2) education and training insufficiencies; (3) human and physical resource limitations related to funding inadequacies; (4) poor care integration such as inadequate communication and feedback across services and disciplines, and ineffectual multidisciplinary care; and (5) deficient footcare processes and guidelines including ambiguous referral pathways. Enablers to foot care were found at opposing ends of the same spectra as the identified barriers or were related to engaging in mentorship programs and utilising standardised assessment tools. This is the first Australian study to obtain information from GPs and CDEs about the perceived barriers and enablers influencing preventative and early intervention diabetes-related foot care. Findings offer an opportunity for the development and translation of effective intervention strategies across health systems, policy, funding, curriculum and clinical practice, in order to improve outcomes for people with diabetes.
48
Medlin, Linda G., Anne B. Chang, Kwun Fong, Rebecca Jackson, Penny Bishop, Annette Dent, Deb C. Hill, Stephen Vincent, and Kerry-Ann F. O'Grady. "Indigenous Respiratory Outreach Care: the first 18 months of a specialist respiratory outreach service to rural and remote Indigenous communities in Queensland, Australia." Australian Health Review 38, no. 4 (2014): 447. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ah13136.
Full textAbstract:
Objective Respiratory diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Indigenous Australians. However, there are limited approaches to specialist respiratory care in rural and remote communities that are culturally appropriate. A specialist Indigenous Respiratory Outreach Care (IROC) program, developed to address this gap, is described. Methods The aim of the present study was to implement, pilot and evaluate multidisciplinary specialist respiratory outreach medical teams in rural and remote Indigenous communities in Queensland, Australia. Sites were identified based on a perception of unmet need, burden of respiratory disease and/or capacity to use the clinical service and capacity building for support offered. Results IROC commenced in March 2011 and, to date, has been implemented in 13 communities servicing a population of approximately 43 000 Indigenous people. Clinical service delivery has been possible through community engagement and capacity building initiatives directed by community protocols. Conclusion IROC is a culturally sensitive and sustainable model for adult and paediatric specialist outreach respiratory services that may be transferrable to Indigenous communities across Queensland and Australia. What is known about this topic? The high rates of respiratory illnesses in Australian Indigenous children have been poorly explored. There is a dearth of research quantifying and qualifying risk from birth and throughout early childhood, and there are virtually no evidence-based evaluations of interventions to prevent and manage disease. Despite data suggesting an excess burden of disease, there has been little attention paid to respiratory health in this population. The limited research that has been done highlights that a ‘one size fits all’ model will not be effective in all communities, and that health service must meet the needs of communities, be culturally appropriate and be accessible to Aboriginal people for it to be effective and sustainable. The ‘common theme’ is that although health services are improving, service delivery needs to adapt to meet the needs of communities; this is not happening quickly enough for many Aboriginal people. What does this paper add? This paper highlights the importance of working with communities in the development and delivery of a culturally appropriate and accessible specialist respiratory service. In addition, this paper acknowledges the importance of recruiting Indigenous staff in the implementation, engagement and delivery of the project. What are the implications for clinicians? This paper provides an outline on how best to deliver a culturally appropriate respiratory outreach service and the role of clinicians, communities and Indigenous staff. This model supports the view that Aboriginal people must be a part of service delivery that is aligned to the ‘holistic concept of health’ for Aboriginal people, thus providing a culturally appropriate service that meets their needs and addresses the health continuum from within culture and community.
49
Lindsay, David, Daryl Brennan, Daniel Lindsay, Colin Holmes, and Wendy Smyth. "Conceal or reveal? Patterns of self-disclosure of long-term conditions at work by health professionals in a large regional Australian health service." International Journal of Workplace Health Management 12, no. 5 (September 26, 2019): 339–51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijwhm-05-2018-0071.
Full textAbstract:
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the patterns of self-disclosure of long-term conditions at work by health professionals in a large regional health service. Recent research by the authors has reported on the self-reported long-term conditions of nursing, medical and allied health staff within a large regional hospital and health service in North Queensland, Australia. Data regarding self-disclosure of health information were gathered during those two previous studies, but has yet to be reported. This current study thus offers the opportunity to explore and describe patterns of self-disclosure by a multi-disciplinary cohort of health professionals within that regional health service.Design/methodology/approachThis current study was a component of two larger studies, reported elsewhere, which explored long-term conditions among health professional staff at a large regional health service in North Queensland, Australia. A cross-sectional survey design was used.FindingsDecision-making associated with self-disclosure of long-term conditions by health professional staff in the workplace is multifactorial, and affected by considerations of age, gender, workplace circumstances and nature of the health condition. It also differs according to professional grouping. The medical profession were less likely than nurses and allied health workers to disclose to their work colleagues. Respondents with a mental health condition were more cautious and selective in their disclosures, and alone in being more likely to disclose to their supervisor than to colleagues; they were also most likely to value the sympathy and understanding of their colleagues and managers.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was conducted across only one large regional health service; a fuller picture of patterns of self-disclosure of long-term conditions by health professional staff would be gained by expanding the number of sites to include metropolitan hospitals, smaller rural or remote health services and non-hospital settings.Practical implicationsHealthcare organizations need to develop support strategies and communication processes so that staff with one or more long-term condition, particularly those that have associated stigma, are empowered to disclose information to line managers and colleagues without fear of discrimination, ostracism, incivility or bullying.Originality/valueThere is a paucity of evidence about self-disclosure of long-term conditions by health professionals and this study therefore makes an important contribution to the extant literature. The findings raise important questions about the culture and dynamics of health care organizations in respect to the patterns of self-disclosure of health professional staff.
50
Rao, Hamna. "Reforms Needed in Aged Patient’s Care." International Journal of Frontier Sciences 2, no. 1 (January 1, 2018): 56–64. http://dx.doi.org/10.37978/tijfs.v2i1.34.
Full textAbstract:
Today’s health workforce is constantly engaged to enhance the standards of healthcare services and ensuring comprehensive healthcare standards to the community. Queensland’s health workforce is Australia’s second largest health workforce (1) and serving proportionately in all areas of QLD, making efforts to make health better by making research, surveys and developmental planning in rural and regional areas. Aged Care is currently the most concerned health issue among OECD countries (2) as aged population continues to grow and it’s challenging for Australian health sector to meet the standards of quality care in provision of aged care health services. As per Australian Institute of Health and Welfare statistics it is projected that Australia will constitute 22% of aged population in next 30 years (AIHW).