Health service delivery models in rural areas

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RESEARCH PRIORITIES

Challenges for health service delivery in rural areas are caused by limited healthcare facilities including diagnostic services, transportation barriers, and limited internet connectivity. In response, research is needed to identify and evaluate models of care that address the differential in access to healthcare across populations such as community health navigator programs, appropriate telehealth-based models of care, and collaborative primary care models that involve multiple healthcare providers.

Our focus is on conducting research into:

  • Innovative models of care and health service delivery.
  • Partnerships aimed at improving access to and coordination of care.

Our researchers

Research news

Most GP patients discuss psychological issues, so why can’t they see mental health professionals in GP clinics?

With 71% of the health problems discussed with GPs relating to psychological issues, a recent scoping review by Monash Rural Health researchers raises the question of why mental health professionals are not co-located at GP clinics.

New research features voices of carers and patients about broken mental health system

Recently published research led by Monash Rural Health has given voice to unheard carers and consumers of mental health services, highlighting shortcomings of the current mental health system.

Exploring the health literacy gap between rural and metropolitan cardiovascular patients

Research found that patients from metropolitan areas who have had a heart attack had a significantly greater ability to actively engage with their healthcare providers than patients from rural areas.

Research shows low adherence to dietary guidelines among rural Australian cancer survivors

A study led by Monash Rural Health has shown that rates of adherence to dietary guidelines among rural Australian cancer survivors vary across food groups and are mostly low.

Featured projects

Let's talk about children

Building on an evidence-based approach from Finland called "Lets Talk about Children", this project aims to develop a recovery-based model specifically designed for parents with mental health problems.

Methamphetamine and Injecting Drug Use Cohort Study

Monash Rural Health, in partnership with Burnet Institute, have established the Methamphetamine and Injecting Drug Use Cohort Study to produce new evidence on the nature and extent of illicit drug-related harms and the effectiveness of interventions to address them.

Equal Hearts

This research uses a health literacy-based, co-design approach to identify how hospital cardiac services can improve and measure accessibility for disadvantaged population groups with coronary heart disease.