A survey of rehabilitation services in Australia.
A survey, which achieved a 54% response rate, was completed to assess the availability and type of rehabilitation health services in Australia. 1044 surveys were sent out and 561 were returned. The details of a total of 346 rehabilitation services were obtained. There were more services in metropolitan compared with rural areas, more services in New South Wales and Victoria than in the other states, and a higher proportion of services led by health care workers other than rehabilitation physicians in rural compared with metropolitan areas. There is likely to be a need for additional rehabilitation services of all types across Australia. The majority of rural, regional and remote areas are likely to need additional physician-led, allied health and nursing services. Further work is needed to assess the size and catchment areas of services in the capital cities and other large population centres to assess whether additional services are also needed in these areas.
K Graham
Susan
S
Rehabilitation Studies Unit, University of Sydney, PO Box 6, Ryde, Sydney, NSW 1680, Australia. susan-graham@ausdoctors.net
Cameron
Ian D
ID
D001315:Australia; D018672:Community Health Planning; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D016730:Program Development; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019035:Rural Health Services; D019037:Urban Health Services