The provision of brain injury rehabilitation services for people living in rural and remote New South Wales, Australia
- 5 August 2014
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Brain Injury
- Vol. 28 (12), 1504-1513
- https://doi.org/10.3109/02699052.2014.938120
Abstract
The objectives of this research were to investigate the equity of brain injury rehabilitation services to rural and remote areas of the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, and to describe the experience of people who access and who deliver these services. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather information from people with acquired brain injury (ABI), their families and rural and remote NSW health, rehabilitation and support services staff who worked with people with a brain injury. Data analysis was guided by an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach. Fifty-nine service providers representing 35 organizations, six people with ABI and seven family members participated in the research. Three key issues emerged from the data: (1) Limited access to appropriate brain injury rehabilitation; (2) Difficulties funding, recruiting and retaining appropriately skilled health, rehabilitation and support staff; and (3) Inadequate current services resulting in a number of unmet needs. Current models of practice for ABI rehabilitation are not appropriate to address the significant inequalities and gaps in available services for people with brain injury in rural and remote NSW. Alternative innovative models are needed to reduce the disparity of access and outcomes for these people.Keywords
This publication has 44 references indexed in Scilit:
- Respite Care After Acquired Brain Injury: The Well-Being of Caregivers and PatientsArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2012
- Key considerations in delivering appropriate and accessible health care for rural and remote populations: Discussant overviewAustralian Journal of Rural Health, 2009
- Health status differentials across rural and remote AustraliaAustralian Journal of Rural Health, 2009
- Rehabilitation challenges for Aboriginal clients recovering from brain injury: A qualitative study engaging health care practitionersBrain Injury, 2009
- Rurability: Community support for rural families managing acquired brain injuryAustralian Journal of Rural Health, 2008
- Appraising the trustworthiness of qualitative studies: Guidelines for occupational therapistsAustralian Occupational Therapy Journal, 2007
- Community Integration Following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Outcomes and Best PracticeBrain Impairment, 2004
- Long-term employment outcomes in a rural area following traumatic brain injuryAustralian Journal of Rural Health, 2002
- Distribution of Services and Supports for People With Traumatic Brain Injury in Ruraland Urban MissouriThe Journal of Rural Health, 2002
- ‘IF ONLY WE HAD SOMEWHERE TO TURN …’ THE SERVICE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY IN A RURAL COMMUNITYAustralian Journal of Rural Health, 1996