Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Rural Health (rural + health)
Terms modified by Rural Health Selected AbstractsMEDIA REPORTS OF RURAL HEALTH AND SAFETY: A REVIEW OF ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN THE LAND NEWSPAPERAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 5 2001Robyn Shea ABSTRACT: The Land is one of the main newspapers that service Australia's rural community. A content analysis of reports on health issues in The Land was undertaken for the period April 1998 to October 1999 (76 editions, 10 336 pages). Fifty-four articles were published, with most being about causes of farm injury. Very few articles concerning non-injury health issues facing rural residents were published. People working in health promotion should consider The Land to be an under-utilised vehicle for news and commentary on rural health and safety issues. [source] ROLES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENTS OF RURAL HEALTHAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2000John S. Humphreys ABSTRACT Since 1996, University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH) have been established at Broken Hill, Mount Isa, Shepparton, Launceston, Whyalla, Alice Springs and Geraldton. Each UDRH is underpinned by Commonwealth funding for an initial period of 5 years. The role of the UDRHs is to contribute to an increase in the rural and remote health workforce through education and training programs, as well as a reduction in the health differentials between rural and urban people and between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. A strong population health focus involving partnerships between existing health providers in a targeted region and the university sector underpins their operation. While UDRHs have been established as a means of addressing a national workforce problem, their organisational arrangements with universities and local service providers vary widely, as does the program mix of activities in education, research service development, facilitation and advocacy. This article outlines some of the activities and progress of the UDRHs to date. [source] From the (New) Editor: An Update on The Journal of Rural HealthTHE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2010Tyrone (Ty) F. Borders PhD No abstract is available for this article. [source] Research on Rural Veterans: An Analysis of the LiteratureTHE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2008William B. Weeks MD ABSTRACT:,Context: The Veterans Health Administration (VA) provides comprehensive health care services to veterans across the United States. Recently, the VA established an Office of Rural Health to address the health care needs of rural veterans. Purpose: To review the literature on rural veterans' health care needs in order to identify areas for future research. Methods: We conducted a literature review of articles listed in the Medline, CINAHL, and BIOSIS datasets since 1950. We reviewed and summarized the findings of 50 articles that specifically examined rural veterans. Findings: The literature on rural veterans included 4 articles examining access to care, 7 evaluating distance technology, 4 examining new models of care delivery, 11 studying rural veterans' patient characteristics, 10 evaluating programs provided in a rural setting, 6 examining rural health care settings, and 8 exploring rural veterans' health services utilization patterns. Most studies were small, based on data obtained before 2000, and consisted of uncontrolled, retrospective, descriptive studies of health care provided in rural VA settings. Definitions of rural were inconsistent, and in 20% of the articles examined the rural aspect of the setting was incidental to the study. Conclusions: The literature on rural veterans' health care needs warrants expansion and investment so that policy makers can make informed decisions in an environment of limited resources and competing interests. [source] Rural Health in Iraqi KurdistanTHE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2005Wayne Myers MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] A New Look for The Journal of Rural HealthTHE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2003Thomas C. Rosenthal MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] VIDEOCONFERENCING SURGICAL TUTORIALS: BRIDGING THE GAPANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 4 2008Andrew J. A. Holland The expansion in medical student numbers has been associated with a move to increase the amount of time students spend in rural and remote locations. Providing an equivalent educational experience for students in surgical subspecialties in this setting is a logistical challenge. We sought to address this issue by providing synchronous tutorials in paediatric surgery using videoconferencing (VC) at two rural sites with the tutor located at a metropolitan paediatric clinical school. Between March 2005 and July 2006, 43 graduate students in the University of Sydney Medical Program were assigned to receive the paediatric component of the course at one of two sites within the School of Rural Health. During this 9-week rotation, students were involved in two or three surgical tutorials by videoconference. Students were then invited to complete a confidential, anonymous 20-point structured evaluation using a Likert scale. Valid responses were received from 40 students, a response rate of 93%. There were 21 females (52%), with 21 students based in Dubbo and 19 in Orange. Students agreed or strongly agreed that VC surgical tutorials were useful, the content well covered and student involvement encouraged (mean scores 4.7, 4.5 and 4.5; standard deviation 0.56, 0.72 and 0.72, respectively). Overall, the majority of students strongly agreed that participation in VC of surgical tutorials was valuable (mean 4.68, standard deviation 0.57). VC surgical tutorials were highly valued by graduate medical students as an educational method. Our data suggest that tutorials can be successfully provided at remote sites using VC. [source] National Rural Health Alliance meets with Minister for Rural HealthAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 6 2009Lexia Smallwood No abstract is available for this article. [source] The frontline and the ivory tower: A case study of service and professional-driven curriculumAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 3 2009Sue Lenthall Abstract Objective:,To describe the development of a postgraduate, multidisciplinary program designed to meet the needs of remote health professionals, present formative evaluation findings and to offer an analysis of the difficulties and lessons learnt. Design:,Case study. Setting:,University Department of Rural Health in a remote region. Participants:, University staff, students and stakeholders involved in the development of the remote health practice program. Results:,Formative evaluation suggests that a curriculum driven by service and professional groups, such as the Flinders University Remote Health Practice program, is able to better prepare remote health practitioners and improve their effectiveness. Difficulties in development included a lack of recognition by some university academics of the value of practitioner knowledge and a reluctance to accept a clinical component in a masters program. Lessons learnt included the importance of: (i) respect for practitioner knowledge; (ii) explicit and appropriate values; (iii) high-quality academics with strong service links; (iv) appropriate length of lead time; (v) institutional links between university and both relevant professional organisations and health services; (vi) a receptive university; (vii) location; and (viii) ongoing engagement with services and professional responsive development. Conclusion:,The success of the program was due in large part to the relationship with professional bodies and close links with remote health services. We have described a number of lessons learnt from this experience that can be useful to other educational groups developing or revising their educational programs. [source] Loss of income and levels of scholarship support for students on rural clinical placements: A survey of medical, nursing and allied health studentsAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 3 2009Deborah Schofield Abstract Objective:,To quantify the financial impact of rural clinical placements on medical, nursing and allied health students in rural Australia. Design:,The Careers in Health Tracking Survey provided data on whether students were employed, usual weekly hours of employment and a range of covariates, such as age, sex, course of study, marital status, dependants and rural or urban origin. Participants:,A total of 121 students from a range of health professions completed the Careers in Health Tracking Survey while on rural placement at the Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health. Outcome measures:,Survey data. Results:,Forty-one per cent of respondents were working immediately before their clinical placements. Nursing students worked the longest hours by far and were significantly more financially disadvantaged than both medical and allied health students (P < 0.01). Scholarship support was unevenly distributed, with nursing and allied health students being relatively under-supported in relation to lost earnings. Conclusion:,Recruitment of students can be an effective strategy to address the rural health workforce shortage throughout Australia. However, there are a number of financial disincentives for students to undertake rural clinical placements. Additional support for some disciplines is needed to provide equitable distribution of scholarship support to offset this financial burden. Establishing an employment scheme for students on rural clinical placements and a scholarship for income replacement where employment is not available would also alleviate income loss. [source] A Textbook of Rural HealthAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2009John Gillies No abstract is available for this article. [source] ROLES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENTS OF RURAL HEALTHAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2000John S. Humphreys ABSTRACT Since 1996, University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH) have been established at Broken Hill, Mount Isa, Shepparton, Launceston, Whyalla, Alice Springs and Geraldton. Each UDRH is underpinned by Commonwealth funding for an initial period of 5 years. The role of the UDRHs is to contribute to an increase in the rural and remote health workforce through education and training programs, as well as a reduction in the health differentials between rural and urban people and between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. A strong population health focus involving partnerships between existing health providers in a targeted region and the university sector underpins their operation. While UDRHs have been established as a means of addressing a national workforce problem, their organisational arrangements with universities and local service providers vary widely, as does the program mix of activities in education, research service development, facilitation and advocacy. This article outlines some of the activities and progress of the UDRHs to date. [source] Rural health: The place to beAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2009Lexia Smallwood No abstract is available for this article. [source] Co-morbid drug and alcohol and mental health issues in a rural New South Wales Area Health ServiceAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2006Bryan Hoolahan Abstract Objective:,In 2003 the New South Wales (NSW) Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) conducted an analysis of co-morbid drug and alcohol (D&A) and mental health issues for service providers and consumers in a rural NSW Area Health Service. This paper will discuss concerns raised by rural service providers and consumers regarding the care of people with co-morbid D&A and mental health disorders. Design:,Current literature on co-morbidity was reviewed, and local area clinical data were examined to estimate the prevalence of D&A disorders within the mental health service. Focus groups were held with service providers and consumer support groups regarding strengths and gaps in service provision. Setting:,A rural Area Health Service in NSW. Participants:,Rural health and welfare service providers, consumers with co-morbid D&A and mental health disorders. Results:,Data for the rural area showed that 43% of inpatient and 20% of ambulatory mental health admissions had problem drinking or drug-taking. Information gathered from the focus groups indicated a reasonable level of awareness of co-morbidity, and change underway to better meet client needs; however, the results indicated a lack of formalised care coordination, unclear treatment pathways, and a lack of specialist care and resources. Discussion:,Significant gaps in the provision of appropriate care for people with co-morbid D&A and mental health disorders were identified. Allocation of service responsibly for these clients was unclear. It is recommended that D&A, mental health and primary care services collaborate to address the needs of clients so that a coordinated and systematic approach to co-morbid care can be provided. [source] Friday at Frontier Nursing ServicePUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, Issue 2 2009Anna May January ABSTRACT The Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) was founded in 1925 in eastern Kentucky by Mary Breckinridge, a nurse whose interest in improving rural health and midwifery changed the course of rural public health nursing and improved health outcomes for some of the most isolated and poorest people in 20th century America. The visual image of Breckinridge on horseback visiting her scattered rural patients is imprinted on the minds of most public health nurses in the United States and has, perhaps, been the wellspring of many nursing career aspirations. The daily life of FNS nurses was one of hardship, uncertainty and variey, as is evidenced in this tale of one day; nonetheless, the experiment of a rural nursing service combining midwifery and generalized nursing was ultimately a tremendous success. The following historical reprint recounts a singular day in the life of Anna January, a nurse midwife at the FNS in Confluence, Kentucky. She captures the dialect and earthiness of the region and the period in her story, but the events she relates also illustrate how interconnected life events can be in rural communities. The original article appeared in the December 1948 issue of Public Health Nursing [Volume 40 (12), 601,602]. [source] Public Health Rural Health Priorities in America: Where You Stand Depends on Where You SitTHE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 3 2003Larry Gamm PhD Methods: Analysis of responses to a mail survey sent to 999 rural health leaders, with 501 responses. Respondents were asked to rank importance to rural health of focus areas named in Healthy People 2010 Findings: There was substantial agreement on top rural health priorities among state and local rural health leaders across the 50 states. "Access to quality health services" was the top priority among leaders of state-level rural agencies and health associations, local rural public health agencies, rural health clinics and community health centers, and rural hospitals. It was the top priority across all 4 major census regions of the nation as well. The next 4 top-ranking rural priorities,"heart disease and stroke,""diabetes,""mental health and mental disorders," and "oral health",were selected as 1 of the top 5 rural priorities by one third or more of respondents across most groups and regions. At the same time, some observed differences in rural health priorities suggest opportunities for community partnership strategies or for regional multistate policy initiatives by states sharing similar rural health priorities. [source] Charting the future course of rural health and remote health in Australia: Why we need theoryAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2010Lisa Bourke Abstract Objective:,This paper argues that rural and remote health is in need of theoretical development. Design:,Based on the authors' discussions, reflections and critical analyses of literature, this paper proposes key reasons why rural and remote health warrants the development of theoretical frameworks. Results:,The paper cites five reasons why theory is needed: (i) theory provides an approach for how a topic is studied; (ii) theory articulates key assumptions in knowledge development; (iii) theory systematises knowledge, enabling it to be transferable; (iv) theory provides predictability; and (v) theory enables comprehensive understanding. Conclusion:,This paper concludes with a call for theoretical development in both rural and remote health to expand its knowledge and be more relevant to improving health care for rural Australians. [source] Association between jigsaw puzzles and rural health in AustraliaAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2009Benjamin Philpot No abstract is available for this article. [source] Funding for rural health research from the Australian Research Council: A missed opportunity?AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 3 2009John McDonald Abstract Objective:,To determine the number of projects, and level of funding, for rural health research from the Australian Research Council (ARC). Design:,Analyses of ARC searchable datasets of completed, and new and ongoing projects from 2001 to 2008. Main outcome measures:,Number of rural health research projects as a proportion of total funding; level of funding for rural health research projects as a proportion of total funding. Results:,Only 46 of 6498 ARC completed projects were classified as rural health research projects. This represents 0.7% of the total number of projects, and 0.39% of the total funding allocated. Only 25 of 4659 ARC new and ongoing projects were classified as rural health research projects. This represents 0.54% of the total number of projects, and 0.27% of the total funding allocated. None of the 832 completed fellowships were classified as rural health. Only five (0.52%) of the 953 new and ongoing fellowships were classified as rural health. Conclusions:,The level of under-funding for rural health research could be partially addressed by directing applications towards the ARC, in addition to the National Health and Medical Research Council. With a few exceptions, rural health researchers are not yet competitive in the national funding arena. [source] Health status differentials across rural and remote AustraliaAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2009Andrew Phillips Abstract This paper describes mortality and disease patterns across five broad remoteness categories of Australia, with reference to the context in which those outcomes develop and are treated. Health and its outcomes become worse as remoteness increases. Some of this phenomenon reflects proportionally greater numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote areas coupled with their poorer overall health outcomes; however, mortality for non-indigenous people is clearly higher outside compared with inside major cities. Migration of people seeking services likely reduces the size of interregional health disparity. Poorer health outcomes stem from worse risk factor profiles and average lower levels of income and of education, poorer physical and financial access to services, higher occupational and environmental risk, as well as factors unique to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Little is known about the health benefits of living outside major cities. Diseases of the circulatory system and injuries account, respectively, for 40% and 18% of the excess mortality outside major cities. Death rates are declining over time in all (particularly remote) areas, but rates of death due to certain lung diseases in rural women are not, and rates of suicide have increased in remote areas. Ostensibly, prevalence of mental ill-health appears roughly similar in all remoteness areas. Dental health is poorer and disability is more prevalent outside major cities, as are a range of infectious diseases. Although pertinent, the effects on rural health of climate change and resource degradation generally have not been addressed in this paper. [source] Influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors on rural healthAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2009John R. Beard Abstract Objective:,To provide a framework for investigating the influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors on rural health. Design:,Discussion paper. Results:,Socioeconomic and cultural factors have long been thought to influence an individual's health. We suggest a framework for characterising these factors that comprises individual-level (e.g. individual socioeconomic status, sex, race) and neighbourhood-level dimensions (population composition, social environment, physical environment) operating both independently and through interaction. Recent spatial research suggests that in rural communities, socioeconomic disadvantage and indigenous status are two of the greatest underlying influences on health status. However, rural communities also face additional challenges associated with access to, and utilisation of, health care. The example is given of procedural angiography for individuals with an acute coronary event. Conclusions:,Socioeconomic and cultural factors specific to rural Australia are key influences on the health of residents. These range from individual-level factors, such as rural stoicism, poverty and substance use norms, to neighbourhood-level social characteristics, such as lack of services, migration out of rural areas of younger community members weakening traditionally high levels of social cohesion, and to environmental factors, such as climate change and access to services. [source] Extended scope practitioners and clinical specialists: A place in rural health?AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 3 2008Sally A. Ruston Abstract This review identifies two models of allied health advanced practitioner practice that are currently in place in the National Health Service in the United Kingdom (UK). A review of the background to advanced practitioner status is given for UK allied health professionals and comments made on the outcomes of the UK roles. Description of the work of Clinical Specialist and Extended Scope Practitioner is given. Alignment with senior physiotherapy staff roles in Australia is commented upon. Some barriers or impediments to implementation of such a system in Australia are discussed with respect to registration, funding and support. The feasibility of such advanced practice roles for physiotherapy is discussed while benefits and cautions are identified. The potential for such a model of health service to be used in Australia, particularly in rural and remote areas, is identified for debate. [source] Broken Hill experience: A comparison to the United States' Area Health Education Centers' national network role and responsibilities in rural healthAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 6 2006Steven R. Shelton No abstract is available for this article. [source] Multi-D at the heart of rural health: More than just lip serviceAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 5 2005Bek Ledingham No abstract is available for this article. [source] MEDIA REPORTS OF RURAL HEALTH AND SAFETY: A REVIEW OF ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN THE LAND NEWSPAPERAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 5 2001Robyn Shea ABSTRACT: The Land is one of the main newspapers that service Australia's rural community. A content analysis of reports on health issues in The Land was undertaken for the period April 1998 to October 1999 (76 editions, 10 336 pages). Fifty-four articles were published, with most being about causes of farm injury. Very few articles concerning non-injury health issues facing rural residents were published. People working in health promotion should consider The Land to be an under-utilised vehicle for news and commentary on rural health and safety issues. [source] AN ASSESSMENT OF FUNDING TO SUPPORT RURAL AND REMOTE HEALTH RESEARCH IN AUSTRALIAAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 5 2000Carla Patterson ABSTRACT: A. systematic search was undertaken to ascertain the nature, source and extent of funding awarded to research projects that were directed specifically at aspects of rural health over the past decade. Comment is also made on the challenge of obtaining such information directly from databases. The sources investigated were the conventional research funding bodies, hospital trusts and foundations, university funding schemes and government sources. The results of these searches revealed a crude average of 3 million dollars per year from conventional research funding with the remaining sources adding a similar amount in total. Analysis of the data using a framework modified from the Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research in Australia shows that funding is concentrated in the health services and public health areas with a preponderance of funding being directed towards the description of conditions and interventions. Significant levels of funding have been directed towards the National Health Priority Areas. [source] | ||||||||||