Defining remote health.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a definition of the discipline of Remote Health.


METHODS
A broad literature search using key words and an Internet search of industry-recognised web sites were carried out.


RESULTS
Fifty-five relevant citations and nine web sites were reviewed, covering Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and United States. The papers offered a variety of definitions of geographical and practice-based approaches to 'remoteness', and definitions of 'remote and rural health'.


CONCLUSIONS
None of the single current definitions in the literature adequately reflect all of the characteristics of Remote Health in Australia. A definition is offered: Remote Health is an emerging discipline with distinct sociological, historical and practice characteristics. Its practice in Australia is characterised by geographical, professional and, often, social isolation of practitioners; a strong multidisciplinary approach; overlapping and changing roles of team members; a relatively high degree of GP substitution; and practitioners requiring public health, emergency and extended clinical skills. These skills and remote health systems, need to be suited to working in a cross-cultural context; serving small, dispersed and often highly mobile populations; serving populations with relatively high health needs; and a physical environment of climatic extremes.
Wakerman
John
J
Centre for Remote Health (a joint Centre of Flinders University and Charles Darwin University), Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. john.wakerman@flinders.edu.au
D001315:Australia; D002170:Canada; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004501:Education, Medical; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008511:Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009520:New Zealand; D010819:Physician's Role; D011361:Professional Competence; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D012423:Rural Health; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012934:Social Isolation; D013038:Specialization; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States