Fostering multidisciplinary research and approaches to rural health issues: the concept of an International Summer Institute.
The challenge of how best to provide equitable, accessible and affordable health care in rural and remote settings is an international concern. It has been acknowledged that a multidisciplinary approach to current rural health issues involving social scientists and health practitioners may be crucial in developing appropriate responses. One initiative designed to facilitate multidisciplinary research and greater collaboration between researchers and practitioners was an International Summer Institute sponsored by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada. This article outlines an Australian perspective on the rationale for, background to, and structure of this initiative, and evaluates it as one option for promoting multidisciplinary approaches to rural health research.
Rolley
F
F
Department of Geography and Planning, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia.
Humphreys
J S
JS
Grogan
H
H
Hegney
D
D
Knight
S
S
Nichols
A
A
Veitch
C
C
D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D006281:Health Occupations; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006302:Health Services Research; D007391:International Cooperation; D010348:Patient Care Team; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*