Travelling to the city for hospital care: Access factors in country Aboriginal patient journeys

Janet Kelly, Judith Dwyer, Eileen Willis, Brita Pekarsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: This study described the challenges for rural and remote Aboriginal people requiring transport to city hospitals for tertiary care. Design: Semi-structured qualitative interviews. Setting: South Australian rural and remote health services and tertiary hospitals. Participants: Twenty-eight urban health professionals from six hospitals and 32 health professionals from four rural and remote regions were interviewed. Twelve patients, three carers, four people responding as patient and carers, and one patient and carer couple were also interviewed, with eight elder women meeting as a focus group. Main outcome measures: The study identified specific structural barriers in urban health services or policy that prevented rural and remote Indigenous patients from receiving optimum care. Results: Problems accessing transport were identified as the most significant factor affecting access to care by the majority of patients and staff. They reported that travel to an urban hospital was costly, and coordination of travel with care was poor. A further problem was travelling while unwell. Conclusions: Travelling to a city hospital is a significant barrier for rural and remote Indigenous patients. Arranging and supporting travel is a time-consuming work that is not recognised by the health care system.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)109-113
Number of pages5
JournalAustralian Journal of Rural Health
Volume22
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - Jun 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aboriginal health
  • Health services access
  • Indigenous health
  • Patient issues
  • Remote health delivery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Family Practice

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