Eye health programs within remote Aboriginal communities in Australia: a review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature regarding the most sustainable and culturally appropriate ways in which to implement eye health care programs within remote Aboriginal communities in Australia from a primary health care perspective.


METHODS
The search included letters, editorials and papers (published and unpublished) from January 1955 to April 2006.


METHODS
The search revealed 1,106,758 papers, books and other related material. The relevancy of this material was determined by abstract and 378 relevant articles were reviewed in their entirety. After reading the relevant articles and the interview transcripts the themes that emerged from each source were extracted.


CONCLUSIONS
The ten areas to consider include: clinical practice and access, sustainability, regional-based programs, information technology systems, health worker training, self-determination, cultural and language barriers, funding body responsibilities, embedding specialist programs in primary care services, and other considerations. Further research needs to be undertaken within Aboriginal communities in the area of primary eye health care and barriers to the acceptance of treatment. This may be undertaken using more interactive research methods such as cooperative and narrative inquiry.
Durkin
Shane R
SR
Ophthalmology Department, South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. shane_durkin@yahoo.com
D001315:Australia; D054521:Cultural Competency; D006801:Humans; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D011320:Primary Health Care; D019035:Rural Health Services