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The thoughts of the late Fred Hollows on the provision of specialist services to rural and remote Australians
Author(s) -
HARRIS MARY G.
Publication year - 1994
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/j.1440-1584.1994.tb00105.x
Subject(s) - audit , service (business) , nursing , medicine , primary care , local community , medical education , family medicine , business , political science , accounting , marketing , law
This paper consists of the late Professor Fred Hollows' responses to questions concerning the provision of specialist services to remote communities. In December 1991, Professor Hollows was invited to meet with a Research Advisory Committee assisting me as I gathered and analysed data concerning the provision of specialist services. Throughout the interview he emphasised three criteria essential for the provision of effective specialist services, namely: credible and competent service providers, regular services, and good liaison and communication with the local community. In addition, he spoke about the role of the specialist in upgrading the skills of general practitioners and the need for medical audits to assess the extent to which local primary care practitioners are able to accurately identify illnesses requiring specialist attention. Finally, Professor Hollows made comment on the importance of empowering local health professionals, specialists and generalists, through skill and knowledge enhancement so that they are able to advocate on behalf of their constituencies.