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Updating the model of eye care for Aboriginal populations in remote Central Australia
Author(s) -
Mitchell William,
Hassall Mark,
Henderson Tim
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
clinical and experimental ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.3
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1442-9071
pISSN - 1442-6404
DOI - 10.1111/ceo.13838
Subject(s) - outreach , medicine , government (linguistics) , eye care , health care , optometry , service (business) , nursing , family medicine , economic growth , business , linguistics , philosophy , marketing , economics
Eye disease is the third‐highest contributor towards health inequality for Aboriginal Australians. Understanding how the Central Australian ophthalmology service addresses complexities of remote eye care is crucial in understanding how expansion can meet current and future needs. The present study analyses findings from the MEDLINE database and Governmental reports, and descriptive information from stakeholders in Central Australia and the Australian Department of Health. We describe the current Central Australian ophthalmology model at three levels; (a) the healthcare service level (specialized primary care, local/outreach optometry and ophthalmology services, and intensive extended surgical weeks), (b) the community level (local community staff, clinics and initiatives, and eye “champions” and mutual support), and (c) the healthcare system level (federal and state government, and private funding). We conclude that building full‐time specialist availability, and system‐wide approaches to increase patient utilisation, will facilitate overcoming barriers of remoteness, and create enduring improvements in Central Australian eye care and health‐inequality.