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Access to Healthcare Following Serious Injury: Perspectives of Allied Health Professionals in Urban and Regional Settings

Author

Listed:
  • Jemma Keeves

    (Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia
    Department of Physiotherapy, Epworth Hospital, Melbourne 3122, Australia)

  • Sandra C. Braaf

    (Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia)

  • Christina L. Ekegren

    (Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia)

  • Ben Beck

    (Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia)

  • Belinda J. Gabbe

    (Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia)

Abstract

Barriers to accessing healthcare exist following serious injury. These issues are not well understood and may have dire consequences for healthcare utilisation and patients’ long-term recovery. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore factors perceived by allied health professionals to affect access to healthcare beyond hospital discharge for people with serious injuries in urban and regional Victoria, Australia. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with community-based allied health professionals involved in post-discharge care for people following serious injury across different urban and regional areas. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Many allied health professionals perceived that complex funding systems and health services restrict access in both urban and regional areas. Limited availability of necessary health professionals was consistently reported, which particularly restricted access to mental healthcare. Access to healthcare was also felt to be hindered by a reliance on others for transportation, costs, emotional stress and often lengthy time of travel. Across urban and regional areas, a number of factors limit access to healthcare. Better understanding of health service delivery models and areas for change, including the use of technology and telehealth, may improve equitable access to healthcare.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:1230-:d:489746
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Hiranya Sritart & Kuson Tuntiwong & Hiroyuki Miyazaki & Somchat Taertulakarn, 2021. "Disparities in Healthcare Services and Spatial Assessments of Mobile Health Clinics in the Border Regions of Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-24, October.
    2. Jemma Keeves & Belinda Gabbe & Sarah Arnup & Christina Ekegren & Ben Beck, 2022. "Serious Injury in Metropolitan and Regional Victoria: Exploring Travel to Treatment and Utilisation of Post-Discharge Health Services by Injury Type," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-15, October.
    3. 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.
    4. Pietro Ferrara & Luciana Albano, 2022. "Advances in Population-Based Healthcare Research: From Measures to Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-4, October.

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