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Improving eye care for I ndigenous A ustralians in primary health care settings
Author(s) -
Boudville Andrea I.,
Anjou Mitchell D.,
Taylor Hugh R.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
australian journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.48
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1440-1584
pISSN - 1038-5282
DOI - 10.1111/ajr.12014
Subject(s) - eye care , primary care , health care , nursing , medicine , primary health care , unlicensed assistive personnel , family medicine , public health , optometry , health policy , hrhis , environmental health , population , political science , law
Abstract Background This paper aims to assess the barriers and solutions to the delivery of eye care in primary care settings and solutions to improve the use of comprehensive eye care among I ndigenous A ustralians. Design, setting, participants Qualitative, mixed method study participants include A boriginal community members, and health and eye care providers in urban, rural and remote settings. Main outcome measures Present evidence for health care providers to better understand and address some of the barriers that limit access to eye care in primary care settings. Results Patient perspectives on barriers to accessing eye care and reasons they choose to seek care or not are presented. Health system barriers identified by health and eye care providers are also presented. Additionally, key enablers for improving access to eye care through primary care services are identified. Conclusion Primary health care services have an important role in I ndigenous eye health. There is a critical role for primary care in the coordination of the patient journey and cooperating with other services to improve access to comprehensive eye care. Through improved provision of primary eye care, monitoring of I ndigenous eye health indicators and supporting patients to access eye care, it is possible to close the gap for vision.