Table 5 Summary of the PHC models used by allied health professionals in non-metropolitan areas, n = 22^
Author/s (year) [ref no.] | Town, State Rurality classification* | Allied Health Professions | Target Group | Type and method of Primary Health Care Service** | Aim of the PHC model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agostino J., et al. (2012) [35] | Cape York, Queensland Remote | Occupational Therapy and other allied health professionals (not specified in the article) | Paediatrics | Outreach services: FIFO Team based approach to healthcare including clinics, case conferences and health promotion activities. | Access to services - (increase in primary healthcare to manage acute and chronic illness) |
Almeida PO., et al. (2021) [45] | Regional and remote regions of Western Australia (as per ASGC-RA Classification) Regional/Remote | Psychology | Older adults (65 years or older) with subthreshold depressive symptoms | Virtual outreach service: phone | Access to services |
Asaid A., et al. (2007) [31] | Elmore, Victoria MM5 | Psychology, physiotherapy, podiatry | Small rural and remote communities | Integrated services: PHC team (multidisciplinary) The foundation model is a community coordination & outreach service model with a combination of public and private health funding. A single-entry point (via GP) to a locally appointed service coordination manager and practice nurse to enable access to services including allied health | Access to service - service availability |
Battye KM., et al. (2003) [36] | Remote communities in North-West Queensland Remote | Physiotherapy, podiatry, dietetics, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology | 11 culturally diverse (Indigenous, non-Indigenous and mixed) remote communities | Outreach services: hub-and-spoke | Access to services - service availability, frequency and consistency of services |
Bergin SM., et al. (2009) [32] | Victoria Rural/regional | Podiatry | Diabetes-related foot disorders | Integrated services: PHC teams (multidisciplinary) Comprised of medical and allied health professionals providing community based ongoing podiatry care | Access to services |
Cairns A., et al. (2024) [37] | Western Cape York, Queensland MM7 | Physiotherapy, dietetics, speech pathology, social work, occupational therapy, podiatry, allied health students | Remote communities | Integrated services: PHC team (multidisciplinary) 3 tiers: 1 - community and the Service working together to build capacity; 2 - co-facilitation of group programs by the Service and community organisations for prevention and intervention; 3 - delivery of individual rehabilitation or specialist care, coordinated through the Service. | Access to services - services being fit for purpose to suit location/population that complement the primary healthcare services already being delivered, and focus on workforce and community capacity building |
Ervin K., et al. (2021) [33] | Northern Victoria Rural | Allied or community health workers including: dietetics, physiotherapy, health promotion, occupational therapy, social work | Health professionals including allied health/community health | Virtual outreach service: telehealth | Service delivery method- access to services that would not otherwise be provided |
Fairlamb J., et al. (2007) [41] | Murray Bridge, South Australia Regional | Dietetics, podiatry, speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work | Mental Health | Integrated services: PHC teams (multidisciplinary) Health & wellbeing team model works towards practical outcomes in people’s lives. | Access to services- there is a waiting list for services and fear that acute mental health services will not be provided. |
Goss PW., et al. (2010) [34] | Sale, Victoria MM4 | Dietetics | Paediatric diabetes | Integrated services: PHC team (multidisciplinary) Multi-disciplinary clinic- grouping patients into three monthly clinics | Access to services- access to an increased variety of allied health services. |
Harris C., et al. (2005) [25] | 200 km south of Wollongong, NSW Rural | Dietetics, psychology | Diabetes | Health promotion: Culturally appropriate health promotion 5-day camp to support self-management. Daily workshops focused on disease management, physical activity, nutrition, stress management, relaxation training & smoking cessation. | Access to services |
Hawke M., et al. (2000) [42] | Victor Harbour, Southern Fleurieu, South Australia MM3 | Occupational therapy, Speech pathology, physiotherapy, psychology | Paediatrics | Integrated services: PHC team (multidisciplinary) Transdisciplinary early intervention model with case management approach; run out of a community health centre with some home visits. | Access to services- the provision of early childhood services to a population that previously had no access to services |
Lewis P., et al. (2003) [43] | Whyalla, South Australia MM3 Port Lincoln, South Australia MM6 | Dietetics, podiatry | Rural and remote communities | Integrated services: PHC team (multidisciplinary) Enhanced Primary Care funding to complete care plan to assist people with chronic illness and complex care needs- facility based and home based. | Access to services- increasing management and coordination of care for patients with multidisciplinary team needs. |
Luscombe GM., et al.(2021) [26] | Orange (Hub site) and Canowindra, Condobolin, Cowra, Forbes, Grenfell, Molong and Parkes (spoke sites), New South Wales MM3 - 6 | Speech pathology, dietetics, psychology, occupational therapy, child and family health nurses | Paediatric feeding clinic | Virtual outreach service: telehealth Hub and Spoke | Virtual model - supporting continuity of care, a translatable model of care, supporting therapeutic relationships between specialists and families |
Merritt et al. (2013) [46] | Regional and Remote Australia Outer regional (RA3), remote (RA4) or very remote (RA5) | Occupational therapy | Outer regional, rural and remote Occupational Therapists | Discrete and outreach services: Private practice- including outreach services to smaller towns, surveyed regarding location and type of services provided, practice models and demographics. | Access to services - service availability |
Misan G., et al. (2018) [44] | Whyalla, South Australia MM3 | Occupational therapy students | Older men | Health promotion: Student-led education sessions Project 1- healthy eating & nutrition. Project 2- physical activity & exercise. Education sessions, skills development sessions, practical sessions, survey on current lifestyle choices. | Access to services Service delivery method- being education sessions |
Phillips D., et al. (2021) [38]^ | Rural or remote communities (> 30 min drive) outside Townsville, Queensland Rural/remote | Specialist occupational therapy | Therapy (OT)-Led Paediatric Burn Telehealth Review Clinic (OTPB Clinic) | Virtual outreach services: telehealth from extended scope OT Integrated services: shared care between local services and virtual outreach provider/allied health assistants where available | Access to services |
Phillips D., et al. (2022) [40]^ | As above | As above | As above | As above | Continuity of care, family-centred care, technology and rural capacity building |
Raynor AJ., et al. (2024) [47] | 21 rural and remote regions across Australia Rural/remote | Exercise physiology | Mental health | Health promotion: 8 week program includes one hour of supervised group exercise per week, followed by a one-hour lifestyle education session | Access to services Service delivery method - inclusion of HEALing Mental Health program within education sessions |
Saini B., et al. (2008) [27] | Central West NSW Orange and Dubbo Rural/regional | Pharmacy | Asthma | Health promotion/prevention: RAMS model is an asthma care model with health promotion, screening and disease management services. | Access to services |
Skinner J., et al. (2021) [28] | Rural and regional areas of New South Wales Rural/regional | Oral health therapy | Paediatrics | Discrete services: Oral health service delivery Health promotion: Oral health promotion in schools (dental screenings and referrals, education, school physical restructuring, resource distribution) | Access to services - increasing access to dental professionals in rural and remote areas; additional oral health service delivery. |
Taylor S., et al. (2021) [39] | Two Rural community pharmacies Queensland MM4 - 5 | Pharmacy | LISTEN UP program, an innovative model, expanding services offered by rural community pharmacies for ear complaints | Discrete services: Community pharmacist provides otoscopy examination, tympanometry, hearing screening and basis assessment and recommends appropriate treatment or referral to GP | Access to services |
Vines RF., et al. (2004) [29] | Bathurst, Rylstone, Trundle and Armidale, NSW and Ballarat, Victoria Regional/rural/remote | Psychology | Mental Health | Integrated services: shared care (collaborative model) The intervention comprised six sessions- full assessment, case formulation and choice of relevant psychological interventions. | Access to services |
Warner P., et al. (2010) [30] | Albury, NSW Wodonga, NSW Rural | Podiatry students | Adults from the regional community for cardiovascular risk assessment | Discrete services: university student- led clinics (specific health unit) University student-led clinic groups of students from two disciplines assigned to a station. | Access to services- no cost to participants Service availability - providing access to a community cardiovascular screening program |