Problem or background
Residents of Australia’s remote regions have lower life expectancies and poorer health outcomes than other Australians. Access to hospital and specialist care frequently requires transport via road or air and time spent away from family and community.
Question, hypothesis or aim
To explore consumer perspectives of the journey from remote communities to regional health services and identify areas for improvement.
Methods
Individual interviews (n = 16) and yarning circles were used to collect and interpret stories of patient’s journeys.
Findings
Travel for medical care was common and often required multiple journeys. Complex social and financial barriers to accessing care included costs associated with travel, food, and accommodation for patients and their families, a lack of understanding of the process and requirements of retrieval, difficulty arranging own road transport, and lack of availability of services within the community. These barriers extend to difficulties in attending follow-up outpatient appointments and return to the community after a journey to the hospital.
Discussion
Educational resources may also be used to describe the retrieval process to remote community members to demystify acute health care in Central Australia but also to express the health service commitment to quality improvement through consumer voice. These resources may be used to orientate new health service employees to patient experiences and perspectives so that these can be incorporated into care planning to enhance cross-cultural understanding.
Conclusion
Travel to access healthcare is an essential component of health services for remote communities. Targeted education for residents on travel expectations and education for staff may significantly reduce barriers to healthcare access.