The Australian journal of rural health
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Aust J Rural Health · Dec 2018
Medical emergencies in rural North Queensland: Doctors perceptions of the training needs.
This study aimed to explore doctors' perceptions of the training needs of rural doctors in the context of managing emergencies in rural North Queensland. ⋯ Certain training needs of rural doctors still remain unmet. Further access to in-house simulations and tele-training could be useful strategies to meet these training needs to further support rural doctors.
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Aust J Rural Health · Oct 2018
Review Comparative StudyParamedicine in Australia and New Zealand: A comparative overview.
Paramedic services in Australia and New Zealand (Australasia) share many characteristics, with both offering versions of the Anglo-American system of emergency medical response. Their industry and professional bodies are transnational and as a result have similar industry standards and professional expectations. The major difference been the two countries is their sources of funding, with Australian paramedic services generally receiving more government funding than those in New Zealand. ⋯ These emerging models challenge the core missions of paramedic services, as well as the professional identity of paramedics. Despite these trends towards higher level and well-integrated paramedic services in Australia and New Zealand, communities and many other health professionals have limited knowledge or understanding of how paramedic services are organised, the characteristics of paramedics and allied staff and limited appreciation of their potential to make greater contributions to the health and well-being of communities. This article provides an introduction to how paramedics, as members of multidisciplinary teams, are well placed to contribute to improvements in health outcomes.
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Aust J Rural Health · Jun 2018
The challenge of generalist care in remote Australia: Beyond aeromedical retrieval.
To examine clinical service activity amongst patients of the Royal Flying Doctor Service South Eastern Section in Far West New South Wales and to evaluate the management of chronic disease among frequent users of evacuation services. ⋯ Most frequent evacuees had several chronic conditions, multiple primary care providers, did not have a general practice management plan and had infrequent clinic reviews. This evidence highlights the challenge of remote primary care and the need to improve systems of chronic disease management. It underlines the importance of current local efforts to improve electronic records, follow-up and team care and to explore further telehealth implementation.
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Aust J Rural Health · Jun 2018
Comparative StudyRural-urban variation in injury-related hospitalisation, health outcomes and treatment cost in New South Wales.
To compare differences in injury characteristics, health outcomes and treatment costs between urban and rural residents who were hospitalised following an injury. ⋯ Injuries contribute substantially to hospitalised morbidity and its cost. The development and implementation of injury prevention strategies targeting the most common injuries for urban and rural residents will go some way towards reducing hospitalised injury and its cost.
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Aust J Rural Health · Apr 2018
Integrated approach to oral health in aged care facilities using oral health practitioners and teledentistry in rural Queensland.
Residents of residential aged care facilities are at very high risk of developing complex oral diseases and dental problems. Key barriers exist in delivering oral health services to residential aged care facilities, particularly in regional and rural areas. ⋯ Screening via the oral health therapist and teledentistry appointment minimises the need for a visit to an oral health facility and subsequent disruption to residents in residential aged care facilities.