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Enablers and Barriers to Accessing Healthcare Services for Aboriginal People in New South Wales, Australia

Author

Listed:
  • Davida Nolan-Isles

    (The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Edward Ford Building A27, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia)

  • Rona Macniven

    (The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Edward Ford Building A27, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
    School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
    Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia)

  • Kate Hunter

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Newtown, NSW 2042, Australia)

  • Josephine Gwynn

    (The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Edward Ford Building A27, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
    Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia)

  • Michelle Lincoln

    (Faculty of Health, The University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia)

  • Rachael Moir

    (The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Edward Ford Building A27, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia)

  • Yvonne Dimitropoulos

    (The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Edward Ford Building A27, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia)

  • Donna Taylor

    (Pius X Aboriginal Health Service, Moree, NSW 2400, Australia)

  • Tim Agius

    (Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service, 15-19 York Lane, Kempsey, NSW 2440, Australia)

  • Heather Finlayson

    (Brewarrina Multipurpose Health Service, 56 Doyle Street, Brewarrina, NSW 2839, Australia)

  • Robyn Martin

    (Mid North Coast Local Health District, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia)

  • Katrina Ward

    (Brewarrina Aboriginal Health Service, 5-7 Sandon Street, Brewarrina, NSW 2839, Australia)

  • Susannah Tobin

    (The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Edward Ford Building A27, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia)

  • Kylie Gwynne

    (The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Edward Ford Building A27, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
    Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia)

Abstract

Background: Australia’s healthcare system is complex and fragmented which can create challenges in healthcare, particularly in rural and remote areas. Aboriginal people experience inequalities in healthcare treatment and outcomes. This study aimed to investigate barriers and enablers to accessing healthcare services for Aboriginal people living in regional and remote Australia. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare delivery staff and stakeholders recruited through snowball sampling. Three communities were selected for their high proportion of Aboriginal people and diverse regional and remote locations. Thematic analysis identified barriers and enablers. Results: Thirty-one interviews were conducted in the three communities ( n = 5 coastal, n = 13 remote, and n = 13 border) and six themes identified: (1) Improved coordination of healthcare services; (2) Better communication between services and patients; (3) Trust in services and cultural safety; (4) Importance of prioritizing health services by Aboriginal people; (5) Importance of reliable, affordable and sustainable services; (6) Distance and transport availability. These themes were often present as both barriers and enablers to healthcare access for Aboriginal people. They were also present across the healthcare system and within all three communities. Conclusions: This study describes a pathway to better healthcare outcomes for Aboriginal Australians by providing insights into ways to improve access.

Suggested Citation

  • Davida Nolan-Isles & Rona Macniven & Kate Hunter & Josephine Gwynn & Michelle Lincoln & Rachael Moir & Yvonne Dimitropoulos & Donna Taylor & Tim Agius & Heather Finlayson & Robyn Martin & Katrina Ward, 2021. "Enablers and Barriers to Accessing Healthcare Services for Aboriginal People in New South Wales, Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3014-:d:517231
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Simon Quilty & Lisa Wood & Sophie Scrimgeour & Geordan Shannon & Elisha Sherman & Bruce Lake & Richard Budd & Paul Lawton & Mary Moloney, 2019. "Addressing Profound Disadvantages to Improve Indigenous Health and Reduce Hospitalisation: A Collaborative Community Program in Remote Northern Territory," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-12, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eloise Osborn & Marida Ritha & Rona Macniven & Tim Agius & Vita Christie & Heather Finlayson & Josephine Gwynn & Kate Hunter & Robyn Martin & Rachael Moir & Donna Taylor & Susannah Tobin & Katrina War, 2022. "“No One Manages It; We Just Sign Them Up and Do It”: A Whole System Analysis of Access to Healthcare in One Remote Australian Community," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, March.
    2. Brianna F. Poirier & Joanne Hedges & Lisa G. Smithers & Megan Moskos & Lisa M. Jamieson, 2022. "Child-, Family-, and Community-Level Facilitators for Promoting Oral Health Practices among Indigenous Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-19, January.
    3. Md Irteja Islam & Lisa Sharwood & Verity Chadwick & Tuguy Esgin & Alexandra Martiniuk, 2022. "Protective Factors against Self-Harm and Suicidality among Australian Indigenous Adolescents: A Strengths-Based Analysis of the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Kalinda Griffiths & Abbey Diaz & Lisa J. Whop & Joan Cunningham, 2021. "The Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples around the Globe: Ensuring and Promoting Best Practice in Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-9, December.
    5. Smriti Nepal & Sandra Bailey & Jamie Newman & Lachlan Wright & Natalie Smith & Michelle Dickson & Anna Williamson, 2023. "Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-8, June.
    6. Grace Yeeun Lee & Julie Robotham & Yun Ju C. Song & Jo-An Occhipinti & Jakelin Troy & Tanja Hirvonen & Dakota Feirer & Olivia Iannelli & Victoria Loblay & Louise Freebairn & Rama Agung-Igusti & Ee Pin, 2022. "Partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: An Evaluation Study Protocol to Strengthen a Comprehensive Multi-Scale Evaluation Framework for Participatory Systems Modelling through I," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-16, December.

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