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. 2025 Mar 17;24(1):74.
doi: 10.1186/s12939-025-02434-1.

Equity of access in rural and metropolitan dementia diagnosis, management, and care experiences: an exploratory qualitative study

Hannah Gulline  1 , Sarah Carmody  1 , Mark Yates  2   3 , Amelia Bevins  1 , Amy Brodtmann  4   5   6   7 , Samantha M Loi  8   9 , Yen Ying Lim  10 , Heather Macklin  11 , Karen Glennen  12 , Michael Woodward  13   14 , Scott Ayton #  15   16 , Darshini Ayton #  17
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Equity of access in rural and metropolitan dementia diagnosis, management, and care experiences: an exploratory qualitative study

Hannah Gulline et al. Int J Equity Health. .

Abstract

Background: The limited allocation of resources to rural and regional communities is a major contributor to healthcare inequities in Australia. Distribution of health service resources between metropolitan and rural communities commonly sees highly populated areas prioritised over more sparsely populated and geographically vast areas. As such, challenges impacting dementia diagnosis, management, and care in metropolitan areas are experienced more acutely in rural areas. This study aimed to examine equity of access to dementia diagnosis, management, and care services amongst people who experienced the process of dementia diagnosis as a patient or significant other (partner/spouse, adult children, siblings, and friends) throughout rural and metropolitan Australia.

Methods: This exploratory qualitative study consisted of thirty-three online semi-structured interviews with thirty-seven people with experience of the dementia diagnosis process as a patient and/or significant other. Interviews explored symptoms of dementia, health professionals consulted, tests conducted, and challenges faced throughout the diagnosis and post-diagnosis process. Rurality was defined by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard Remoteness Areas (ASGS-RA) and the Modified Monash Model (MMM). Thematic analysis was conducted, with Russell's (2013) Dimensions of Access framework (geography, affordability, availability, acceptability, accommodation, awareness, and timeliness) guiding data analysis.

Results: Participants were distributed across various regions of Australia: seven interviews from inner regional Australia, five interviews from outer regional Australia, and twenty-one interviews from metropolitan areas. Disparities in access between metropolitan and rural areas emerged in five key dimensions: 1) geography impeding ability to access services; 2) affordability of travel expenses; 3) availability of healthcare and support services; 4) acceptability of available health professionals and services; and 5) awareness of local services and resources. The dimensions of accommodation and timeliness of care were experienced as challenges irrespective of location, with lengthy appointment wait times and difficulty navigating complex systems. However, rurality often compounded the challenges in dementia diagnosis, management, and care.

Conclusions: Significant health inequities persist between rural and metropolitan communities that must be prioritised in endeavours to promote equitable dementia diagnosis, management, and care. Targeted action to address disparities is vital to mitigate the impact of rurality, particularly as clinical practice evolves with research advancements.

Keywords: Access; Dementia; Health equity; Rurality.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study was approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project ID 34523). This study was conducted in accordance with the Australian Code for Responsible Conduct of Research 2018. All members of the research team have been trained in the principles of Good Clinical Practice, which has its origin in the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki. Each participant provided verbal or written informed consent. Consent for publication: Not applicable given that all data is de-identified and does not include individual participant data. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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