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Australian Journal of Primary Health Australian Journal of Primary Health Society
The issues influencing community health services and primary health care
Australian Journal of Primary Health

Australian Journal of Primary Health

Volume 30 Number 4 2024

PY24016Older patients want to talk about sexual health in Australian primary care

Louise Bourchier, Meredith Temple-Smith, Jane S. Hocking and Sue Malta

Sexual health is an aspect of holistic care that is often missed for older patients. Using 107 free-text comments from survey participants aged ≥60 years, we investigate the barriers in accessing sexual health care in the Australian primary care setting. The findings highlight the need for practitioners to initiate sexual health conversations with their older patients.

PY23231An In-Home Withdrawal Service for individuals with low-to-moderate substance dependence: implementation and program evaluation

James Mussared, Helen Tosin Oni, Taylah Jacinta Gregory, Andrew Fernandes, Anna Mazzacano, Debby Kadarusman and Sarah Fraser

Individuals with low-to-moderate levels of substance dependence require targeted services to safely manage their withdrawal. This paper evaluates a holistic approach to withdrawal that broadens the common medicalised approach through pre- and post-withdrawal stages of care and support from a multidisciplinary team including lived experience practitioners. The service reduces levels of substance use while also improving overall quality of life, demonstrating the need for more withdrawal services to consider the inclusion of holistic approaches to substance dependence support.

Considerable data are collected on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, extracted from primary healthcare services. We reviewed these datasets for their capacity to provide insight into chronic disease care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Most data providers have the potential capability to capture detailed indicators across many chronic diseases. It is critical that more accurate, comprehensive, and culturally meaningful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare data are collected to support evidence-based policy.

The grid-based community active health management model accentuates the significance of primary care and harnesses the full potential of community resources. The grid-based community proactive health management model improves the coverage of community health services and reduces hospitalisation of patients with chronic diseases. Strengthening primary care through the grid-based community proactive health management model contributes to achieving universal health coverage.

Chronic conditions may limit older peoples’ social engagement, with diminished social connections leading to loneliness, social isolation and other serious health consequences. This study explored the experience of social connection in older people living with chronic conditions and factors influencing their social participation. Older people identified the importance of family, community engagement and staying well through primary care support. Understanding the barriers and facilitators of social connections for older people can guide the general practice team in developing appropriate interventions.

PY24024Self-reported hearing loss in urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults: unmeasured, unknown and unmanaged

Alice M. Pender 0000-0002-5059-6143, Philip J. Schluter 0000-0001-6799-6779, Roxanne G. Bainbridge 0000-0003-1206-8072, Geoffrey K. Spurling 0000-0002-3525-4663, Wayne J. Wilson 0000-0002-8141-5173, Claudette ‘Sissy’ Tyson and Deborah A. Askew 0000-0003-3943-620X

Limited evidence on hearing loss in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults exists. In this primary care adult population, the rate of self-reported hearing loss was 18.8%. Only two in five adults received further action to manage their hearing loss with successful hearing outcomes evident. Hearing loss in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults is underreported, undermanaged, and requires urgent attention from health professionals and government policymakers to enhance its clinical management leading to improved quality of life.

Committee on Publication Ethics

Call for Papers

We are seeking contributions for Special Issues. More information

Call for Reviewers

We are seeking reviewers to join the team. Australian Journal of Primary Health Reviewers

Best Oral Paper Prize AAAPC 2024

Joanne Wong has been awarded the Best Oral Paper Prize for 2024.

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