Abstract

A networked approach to addressing COVID-19 in rural and remote Australia

Part of Special Series: WONCA World Rural Health Conference Abstracts 2022go to url

AUTHORS

name here
Shannon Nott
1 Rural Health Director of Medical Services for the Western NSW Local Health District, Medical Advisor for NSW Rural Doctors Network *

name here
Maryanne Hawthorn
2 Director Health Intelligence, Planning and Service Development

CORRESPONDENCE

*Dr Shannon Nott

AFFILIATIONS

1, 2 Western NSW Local Health District, Dubbo, NSW, Australia

PUBLISHED

10 January 2023 Volume 23 Issue 1

HISTORY

RECEIVED: 20 September 2022

ACCEPTED: 20 September 2022

CITATION

Nott S, Hawthorn M.  A networked approach to addressing COVID-19 in rural and remote Australia. Rural and Remote Health 2023; 23: 8132. https://doi.org/10.22605/RRH8132

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONSgo to url

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence

go to urlCited by

no pdf available, use your browser's print function to create one


abstract:

Introduction: The COVID-19 global pandemic has been a significant challenge worldwide. This has been particularly so in rural and remote communities where largely metropolitan-based policies do not translate into the rural context. Western NSW Local Health District (Australia), a region spanning almost 250,000 km2 (slightly larger than the UK), has implemented a networked approach that spanned public health measures, acute care services and psycho-social supports for rural communities.

Method: A synthesis of field observations and experiences in planning and implementing a networked rural approach to COVID-19.

Results: This presentation reports on the key enablers, challenges and observations in operationalising a networked, rural-specific, 'whole-of-health' approach to COVID-19. As of 22 December 2021, the region (total population 278,000) had confirmed over 112,000 cases of COVID-19 across some of the state’s most disadvantage rural communities. This presentation will provide an overview of the framework used to address COVID-19, including descriptions of the public health response, specific care needs of those with COVID-19, cultural and social support for vulnerable peoples and an approach to keeping the community well.

Discussion: Responses to COVID-19 need to be 'rural proofed' to ensure that the need of rural communities can be met. Acute health services must leverage a networked approach that supports existing clinical workforce through effective communication and developing rural-specific processes to ensure best practice care can be delivered. This includes utilising advances in telehealth to ensure people can access clinical support when diagnosed with COVID-19. Managing the COVID-19 pandemic across rural communities requires 'whole-of-system' thinking and strengthening partnerships to manage both public health measures as well as an acute care response.

You might also be interested in:

2014 - E-Health readiness in outback communities: an exploratory study

2010 - Oiling a neglected wheel: An investigation of adolescent internalising problems in rural South Australia

2009 - Management of minor medical problems and trauma: the role of general practice

This PDF has been produced for your convenience. Always refer to the live site https://www.rrh.org.au/journal/article/8132 for the Version of Record.