title: More After Hours Medical Service: 'pillars' of success.
abstract: This study aimed to identify and explore the factors that are crucial to the successful operation of rural after-hours medical services. It sought to determine the attributes that contribute toward the successful operation of after-hours medical services in rural towns. It drew on computer-assisted telephone interviews with stakeholders, and operational, demographic and financial data. The findings were brought together and analysed within an integrated framework for the guidance of policy makers. In a rural setting, the most important factors for a successful after-hours medical service are related to, 'place', 'process', 'people' and 'time'. These need to be integrated through effective management of relationships.
authors.affiliation: Monash University School of Rural Health.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Meara
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Strasser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009551:Night Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D014739:Victoria