Davida Nolan-Isles1, Rona Macniven1,2,3, Kate Hunter4, Josephine Gwynn1,5, Michelle Lincoln6, Rachael Moir1, Yvonne Dimitropoulos1, Donna Taylor7, Tim Agius8, Heather Finlayson9, Robyn Martin10, Katrina Ward11, Susannah Tobin1, Kylie Gwynne1,3. 1. The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Edward Ford Building A27, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia. 2. School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. 3. Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia. 4. Faculty of Medicine and Health, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Newtown, NSW 2042, Australia. 5. Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia. 6. Faculty of Health, The University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia. 7. Pius X Aboriginal Health Service, Moree, NSW 2400, Australia. 8. Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service, 15-19 York Lane, Kempsey, NSW 2440, Australia. 9. Brewarrina Multipurpose Health Service, 56 Doyle Street, Brewarrina, NSW 2839, Australia. 10. Mid North Coast Local Health District, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia. 11. Brewarrina Aboriginal Health Service, 5-7 Sandon Street, Brewarrina, NSW 2839, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Australia's healthcare system is complex and fragmented which can create challenges in healthcare, particularly in rural and remote areas. Aboriginal people experience inequalities in healthcare treatment and outcomes. This study aimed to investigate barriers and enablers to accessing healthcare services for Aboriginal people living in regional and remote Australia. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare delivery staff and stakeholders recruited through snowball sampling. Three communities were selected for their high proportion of Aboriginal people and diverse regional and remote locations. Thematic analysis identified barriers and enablers. RESULTS: Thirty-one interviews were conducted in the three communities (n = 5 coastal, n = 13 remote, and n = 13 border) and six themes identified: (1) Improved coordination of healthcare services; (2) Better communication between services and patients; (3) Trust in services and cultural safety; (4) Importance of prioritizing health services by Aboriginal people; (5) Importance of reliable, affordable and sustainable services; (6) Distance and transport availability. These themes were often present as both barriers and enablers to healthcare access for Aboriginal people. They were also present across the healthcare system and within all three communities. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a pathway to better healthcare outcomes for Aboriginal Australians by providing insights into ways to improve access.
BACKGROUND: Australia's healthcare system is complex and fragmented which can create challenges in healthcare, particularly in rural and remote areas. Aboriginal people experience inequalities in healthcare treatment and outcomes. This study aimed to investigate barriers and enablers to accessing healthcare services for Aboriginal people living in regional and remote Australia. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare delivery staff and stakeholders recruited through snowball sampling. Three communities were selected for their high proportion of Aboriginal people and diverse regional and remote locations. Thematic analysis identified barriers and enablers. RESULTS: Thirty-one interviews were conducted in the three communities (n = 5 coastal, n = 13 remote, and n = 13 border) and six themes identified: (1) Improved coordination of healthcare services; (2) Better communication between services and patients; (3) Trust in services and cultural safety; (4) Importance of prioritizing health services by Aboriginal people; (5) Importance of reliable, affordable and sustainable services; (6) Distance and transport availability. These themes were often present as both barriers and enablers to healthcare access for Aboriginal people. They were also present across the healthcare system and within all three communities. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a pathway to better healthcare outcomes for Aboriginal Australians by providing insights into ways to improve access.
Entities:
Keywords:
communication; first nations; health policy; health services accessibility; health services administration; indigenous; primary health care; trust
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