Evaluating the impact of sustainable comprehensive primary health care on rural health.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a conceptual framework for monitoring the relationship between health services and health outcomes in rural Australia.


METHODS
Development of an evaluation framework for a rural comprehensive primary health service in Victoria.


RESULTS
Evidence regarding essential components for successful primary health care, and objective health service and health status measures were combined to develop a conceptual health service evaluation framework. Application of the framework is illustrated using a case study of a rural primary health service in Victoria.


CONCLUSIONS
Inadequate health services limit access to health care, delay use at times of need and result in poor health outcomes. Currently, there is a lack of evidence from rigorous health service evaluations to indicate which rural health services work well, where and why that could inform rural health policies and funding. Although the nature of health service models will vary across communities in order to meet their differing geographic circumstances, there is considerable scope for the translation and generalisation of evidence gained from health service models that are shown to be sustainable, responsive and able to deliver local quality health care. This framework can guide future health service evaluation research and thereby provide a better understanding of a health service's impact on the health of the community and its residents.
Tham
Rachel
R
Monash University School of Rural Health, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. rachel.tham@med.monash.edu.au
Humphreys
John
J
Kinsman
Leigh
L
Buykx
Penny
P
Asaid
Adel
A
Tuohey
Kathy
K
Riley
Karen
K
D003153:Community Health Services; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012423:Rural Health; D014739:Victoria