title: Toward the Development of a More Integrated Aged Care Assessment Process for Rural Older Australians: Practitioners' Perspectives.
abstract: There is an identified need for more effective assessment processes in rural Australia, with prior research revealing little knowledge sharing and even duplication across existing services. This article aims to explore the challenges to more closely integrated assessment processes, drawing on interview data with practitioners from three agencies located in the same rural region. Findings highlight the challenges of rural assessment, both demand-driven (more older people with complex needs, geographic isolation) and supply issues (time and distance, funding formulae, workforce shortages). The need for closer collaboration is recognized but significant systemic issues require addressing if it is to be achieved.
authors.affiliation: a John Richards Initiative, La Trobe Rural Health School (Albury/Wodonga Campus), College of Science, Health and Engineering , La Trobe University , Wodonga , Victoria , Australia.
authors.forename: Jeni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warburton
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cowan
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Savy
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: MacPhee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: aged care assessment; assessment practitioners; rural aging