Establishing a clinic for young people in a rural setting: a community initiative to meet the needs of rural adolescents
Kaye Ervin A D , Jacqueline Phillips B and Jane Tomnay CA Rural Health Academic Network, University of Melbourne, 49 Graham Street, Shepparton, Vic. 3644, Australia.
B Numurkah District Health Service, 2 Katamatite-Nathalia Road, Numurkah, Vic. 3636, Australia.
C Centre for Excellence for Rural Sexual Health, University of Melbourne, 49 Graham Street, Shepparton, Vic. 3630, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: ervink@humehealth.org.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 20(2) 128-133 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY12157
Submitted: 26 November 2012 Accepted: 14 July 2013 Published: 6 August 2013
Abstract
This paper describes the establishment and evaluation of a rural clinic for young people. A conceptual approach to community development was used to establish the clinic in a small north Victorian rural health service, with qualitative methods used to evaluate services. Study participants were members of an operational committee and advisory committee for the establishment of the rural clinic for young people. The clinic was evaluated against the World Health Organization framework for the development of youth-friendly services. With robust community support, the clinic was established and is operational. Most consultations have been for sexual and mental health. Qualitative evaluation identifies that not all the World Health Organization benchmarks have been met, but this is hampered predominantly by financial constraints. In conclusion, establishing clinic for young people in a small rural setting can be achieved with community support and the development of referral pathways.
Additional keywords: health service, community development.
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