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Healthcare Providers’ Perceptions of Potentially Preventable Rural Hospitalisations: A Qualitative Study

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  • Andrew Ridge

    (School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
    Huon Valley Health Centre, Huonville, TAS 7109, Australia)

  • Gregory M. Peterson

    (School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia)

  • Bastian M. Seidel

    (Huon Valley Health Centre, Huonville, TAS 7109, Australia
    School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia)

  • Vinah Anderson

    (School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia)

  • Rosie Nash

    (School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia)

Abstract

Potentially preventable hospitalisations (PPHs) are common in rural communities in Australia and around the world. Healthcare providers have a perspective on PPHs that may not be accessible by analysing routine patient data. This study explores the factors that healthcare providers believe cause PPHs and seeks to identify strategies for preventing them. Physicians, nurses, paramedics, and health administrators with experience in managing rural patients with PPHs were recruited from southern Tasmania, Australia. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted, and reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Participants linked health literacy, limited access to primary care, and perceptions of primary care services with PPH risk. The belief that patients did not have a good understanding of where, when, and how to manage their health was perceived to be linked to patient-specific health literacy challenges. Access to primary healthcare was impacted by appointment availability, transport, and financial constraints. In contrast, it was felt that the prompt, comprehensive, and free healthcare delivered in hospitals appealed to patients and influenced their decision to bypass rural primary healthcare services. Strategies to reduce PPHs in rural Australian communities may include promoting health literacy, optimising the delivery of existing services, and improving social support structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Ridge & Gregory M. Peterson & Bastian M. Seidel & Vinah Anderson & Rosie Nash, 2021. "Healthcare Providers’ Perceptions of Potentially Preventable Rural Hospitalisations: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12767-:d:694432
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rachael Laing & Sandra C Thompson & Shandell Elmer & Rohan L Rasiah, 2020. "Fostering Health Literacy Responsiveness in a Remote Primary Health Care Setting: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Zahid Ansari & Toni Barbetti & Norman J. Carson & Michael J. Auckland & Flavia Cicuttini, 2003. "The Victorian ambulatory care sensitive conditions study: rural and urban perspectives," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 48(1), pages 33-43, March.
    3. Jemma Keeves & Sandra C. Braaf & Christina L. Ekegren & Ben Beck & Belinda J. Gabbe, 2021. "Access to Healthcare Following Serious Injury: Perspectives of Allied Health Professionals in Urban and Regional Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-15, January.
    4. Fahad Riaz Choudhry & Long Chiau Ming & Khadeeja Munawar & Syed Tabish R. Zaidi & Rahul P. Patel & Tahir Mehmood Khan & Shandell Elmer, 2019. "Health Literacy Studies Conducted in Australia: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-32, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrew Ridge & Gregory M. Peterson & Rosie Nash, 2022. "Risk Factors Associated with Preventable Hospitalisation among Rural Community-Dwelling Patients: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Agata Gawlak & Marta Stankiewicz, 2022. "Specific Needs of Patients and Staff Reflected in the Design of an Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Hospital—Design Recommendations Based on a Case Study (Poland)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-17, November.

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