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Review
. 2023 Jun;31(3):361-384.
doi: 10.1111/ajr.12963. Epub 2023 Jan 13.

Barriers and enablers to structured care delivery in Australian rural primary care

Leanne Mullan  1   2 , Kylie Armstrong  3 , Jennifer Job  4
Affiliations
Review

Barriers and enablers to structured care delivery in Australian rural primary care

Leanne Mullan et al. Aust J Rural Health. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to explore the barriers and enablers to structured care delivery in rural primary care, reflecting on Australian research findings.

Design: CINAHL and Scopus databases were searched in August 2021. Inclusion criteria included English language, full-text studies, published since 2011, reporting on the barriers and enablers to the delivery of structured care within rural and remote primary care. Structured care was conceptualised as care that was organised, integrative and planned.

Findings: A total of 435 studies were screened. Thirty-four met the inclusion criteria. Barriers to the provision of structured care related to workforce shortages, limited health care services and health care professional capacity, cultural safety and competency, limited resourcing, insufficient knowledge and education, geographical isolation, inadequate care coordination, unclear roles and responsibilities and poor health professional-patient relationships.

Discussion: Health care system and geographical barriers and enablers encountered in rural areas are complex and multidimensional. Identification of the specific challenges to structured care delivery highlights the need for a focussed review of workforce supply and distribution challenges as well as the investigation of system integration, leadership, governance and funding reform that would be required to support rural primary care.

Keywords: care; general practice; health; integrated; primary care; remote; rural; structured.

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References

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