A Bright Future for Rural Health: Evidence-Based Policy and Practice in Rural and Remote Australian Health Care
A Bright Future for Rural Health: Evidence-Based Policy and Practice in Rural and Remote Australian Health Care Edited Book
- Author(s): Larson, A., Lyle, D.
- Published: 2010
- Publisher: Australian Rural Health Education Network
Abstract: The rural health and health service development stories presented here have been shaped by the curiosity, inventiveness, and commitment of the health professionals working in their rural and remote communities. They have been supported by the University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH) to improve the health and wellbeing of rural and remote Australians. This important achievement is an evidence base on which to build policy and practice. These stories are drawn from across the country and provide a window to the future of rural health in Australia. They show how rural and remote health professionals are making a difference locally and give insights, approaches and solutions to similar challenges or problems faced elsewhere. Evaluated solutions for many pressing health issues are presented, including self management for people with chronic disease; addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through the recruitment and retention of Indigenous medical students and better birthing services for Aboriginal mothers and babies; new models of care that improve access to quality care for rural people in mental health, palliative care and oral health; and workforce development through role expansion of paramedics. Also considered are two big policy issues: building sustainable rural primary health care services, and responding to an ageing health workforce. Access to services is a major factor explaining poorer outcomes in rural and remote Australia. This publication grew out of a concern that rural health policy makers and practitioners did not have access to the abundance of information generated from efforts in designing, evaluating and improving rural health services. The range and quality of the work presented here is a testament to the substantial and ongoing Australian Government investment from the mid-1990s to build the intellectual capital of the bush. During this time, a significant academic presence in rural and remote Australia has been built with the establishment of UDRH and Rural Clinical Schools, and programs targeting the development of research capacity in primary health care. Two peer-reviewed journals devoted to rural health are published in Australia and read around the world. Because of these investments, we have a brighter future in rural health. There is an emerging capacity of the sector to document what it does well and to communicate the good ideas and lessons learned from innovation so that we do not just invest in rediscovering old insights. Rather, we progress the policy debates and respond to the service delivery dilemmas to further develop and promote good, sustainable health care policy and practice into the future. I would encourage you to read the stories, follow up the publications and contact the authors.