Community participation in health service reform: the development of an innovative remote Aboriginal primary health-care service
Community participation in health service reform: the development of an innovative remote Aboriginal primary health-care service
Australian Journal of Primary Health
- Author(s): Reeve, Carole, Humphreys, John, Wakerman, John, Carroll, Vicki, Carter, Maureen, O'Brien, Tim, Erlank, Carol, Mansour, Rafik, Smith, Bec
- Published: 2015
- Volume: 21
Abstract: The aim of this study was to describe the reorientation of a remote primary health-care service, in the Kimberley region of Australia, its impact on access to services and the factors instrumental in bringing about change. A unique community-initiated health service partnership was developed between a community-controlled Aboriginal health organisation, a government hospital and a population health unit, in order to overcome the challenges of delivering primary health care to a dispersed, highly disadvantaged Aboriginal population in a very remote area. The shared goals and clear delineation of responsibilities achieved through the partnership reoriented an essentially acute hospital-based service to a prevention-focussed comprehensive primary health-care service, with a focus on systematic screening for chronic disease, interdisciplinary follow up, health promotion, community advocacy and primary prevention. This formal partnership enabled the primary health-care service to meet the major challenges of providing a sustainable, prevention-focussed service in a very remote and socially disadvantaged area.
- Urls: https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/PY14073
- Keywords: change management, equity, remote health, sustainable