Understanding patient access patterns for primary health-care services for Aboriginal and Islander people in Queensland: a geospatial mapping approach
K. S. Panaretto A B J , A. Dellit A C , A. Hollins B D , G. Wason D , C. Sidhom E , K. Chilcott F , D. Malthouse E , S. Andrews C G , J. Mein H , B. Ahkee I and R. McDermott A BA Centre for Research Excellence for the Prevention of Chronic Conditions in Rural and Remote High Risk Populations, Centre for Population Health Research, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
B James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, Townsville City, Qld 4811, Australia.
C Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, 55 Russell Street, South Brisbane, Qld 4101, Australia.
D Mulungu Corporation for Medical Corporation, 162–164 Walsh Street, Mareeba, Qld 4880, Australia.
E Wuchopperen, Health Service, 6 Moignard Street, Manoora, Qld 4870, Australia.
F Kalwun Health Service, 2020 Gold Coast Highway, Miami, Qld 4220, Australia.
G Gurriny Yealamucka, 1 Bukki Road, Yarrabah, Qld 4871, Australia.
H Apunipima Cape York Health Council, 186 Mccoombe Street, Bungalow, Qld 4870, Australia.
I Mamu, 10 Ernest Street, Innisfail, Qld 4860, Australia.
J Corresponding author. Present address: Centre for Chronic Disease, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Health Sciences Building Level 8, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia. Email: k.panaretto@uq.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 23(1) 37-45 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY15115
Submitted: 27 July 2015 Accepted: 13 April 2016 Published: 5 August 2016
Journal Compilation © La Trobe University 2017 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
This paper explores the patterns of patients’ accessing six Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Services (AICCHSs) in Queensland. Between August 2011 and February 2014, 26 199 patients made at least one visit over a 2-year period prior to at least one of six Queensland AICCHS – one urban service (RA 1) in south-east Queensland, and five services in regional towns (RA 3) in Far North Queensland. Geospatial mapping of addresses for these registered patients was undertaken. The outcomes analysed included travel times to, the proportion of catchment populations using each AICCHS and an assessment of alternative mainstream general practice availability to these patients was made. In brief, the use of AICCHS was higher than Australian Bureau of Statistics census data would suggest. Approximately 20% of clients travel more than 30 min to seek Aboriginal Health services, but only 8% of patients travelled longer than 60 min. In the major city site, many other general practitioner (GP) services were bypassed. The data suggest Aboriginal and Islander patients in Queensland appear to value community-controlled primary care services. The number of Indigenous clients in regional locations in the Far North Queensland registered with services is often higher than the estimated resident population numbers.
Additional keywords: community-controlled primary health care, Indigenous, travel times.
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