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Provision of health services for elderly populations in rural and remote areas in Australia: A systematic scoping review.
- Source :
-
Australian Journal of Rural Health . Oct2023, Vol. 31 Issue 5, p805-825. 21p. 1 Diagram, 4 Charts, 1 Graph. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Introduction: Although various studies have examined availability, access barriers and patient experiences of rural health services for the ageing population, no synthesis of this literature exists in Australia. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the current literature surrounding rural service provision and to evaluate the barriers to access for older individuals and to recognise gaps in the literature. Design: A systematic scoping review of peer‐reviewed literature from three online databases (PUBMED, SCOPUS and Web of Science). Findings: Thirty‐two papers were included in analysis. The most prominent types of health service discussed were residential aged care (n = 12) and community health care (n = 10). More studies explored the perspectives of health personnel than the service end users. Qualitative synthesis revealed three themes associated with health service and rural ageing: access to services, health workforce experiences and end user experiences. Discussion: Access to health services for the elderly population is a complex issue. Promoting positive experiences for both health providers and patients is critical to assisting in healthy ageing for people living in rural and remote areas. This requires intervention on a social and institutional level. Key research gaps in the literature include the effectiveness of an integrated approach to institutional interventions, utilisation of preventative measures such as screening programs for cancer and greater identification of the health needs and perceptions among culturally diverse elderly residents. These studies are critical to promote appropriate and patient‐centred care for elderly populations in rural and remote areas. Conclusion: The review highlights the need to address availability, retention and service innovations across health services to improve access to care and health outcomes of rural elderly residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *MEDICAL literature -- History & criticism
*ONLINE information services
*HEALTH services accessibility
*ACTIVE aging
*RURAL conditions
*SYSTEMATIC reviews
*ATTITUDES of medical personnel
*COMMUNITY health services
*PATIENT-centered care
*ACQUISITION of data
*QUALITATIVE research
*RESIDENTIAL care
*MEDICAL records
*LITERATURE reviews
*MEDLINE
*EMPLOYEE retention
*DIFFUSION of innovations
*ELDER care
*OLD age
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10385282
- Volume :
- 31
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Australian Journal of Rural Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 173054703
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.13016