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November 2025
Moving Forward Together: Transforming Physical Therapy to Improve Indigenous Peoples’ Musculoskeletal Health
admin2025-11-13T09:52:02+11:00SYNOPSIS: Improving Indigenous Peoples’ musculoskeletal health is a salient priority and a challenge for the physical therapy profession. Our goal is that Indigenous Peoples’ musculoskeletal health is no longer underrecognized or inadequately addressed. In this series, we outline why the physical therapy field must (a) deepen its collective knowledge of Indigenous Peoples’ musculoskeletal health; (b) reflect on current initiatives in Indigenous musculoskeletal health across clinical practice, research, education, and allyship/advocacy; (c) explore future directions for each sector to advance the profession; and (d) contribute to positive change for Indigenous Peoples. This article sets the scene for the series, including introducing key [...]
Impact of weather-related disasters on medical student rural placements: Implications for clinicians and medical schools
admin2025-11-13T09:49:54+11:00Abstract Objectives To investigate the experiences of medical students during and after a flooding disaster, focusing on the impacts on their rural placements and the support they need from their medical schools. Study design Qualitive interview study. Methods We conducted a qualitative study of 43 third-year medical students on full-year rural clinical placements in regional Australia through the University Centre for Rural Health, who experienced two major flooding events in 2022. Focus groups and a survey were conducted two-to-six weeks after the flood. Data were deductively analysed using the five categories of fundamental needs described in Maslow's hierarchical model of [...]
October 2025
Healing Right Way: A Stepped Wedge Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial Aiming to Enhance Quality of Life for Aboriginal Australian Survivors of Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury
admin2025-11-13T09:50:54+11:00Objective To determine the effect of cultural security training (CST) for health professionals and access to an Aboriginal Brain Injury Coordinator (ABIC) for Aboriginal Australians with stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design A stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial; the intervention package consisted of CST for hospital professionals and 6-month access to ABICs providing education, support, liaison and advocacy; the commencement order of the intervention phase was randomised. Setting Four urban and four rural hospitals in Western Australia, 2018–2022. Participants Aboriginal adults ≥ 18 years hospitalised with stroke or TBI. Main Outcome Measures Primary outcome was quality of life (Euro QOL–5D-3L [...]
September 2025
Process Evaluation of a Dementia Prevention Program for Aboriginal Australians (DAMPAA) Using a Theory of Change Framework
admin2025-11-13T09:46:28+11:00Abstract A co-designed, Aboriginal health practitioner–led dementia risk management program (DAMPAA) was implemented from 2021 to 2024 to address the growing concern of dementia among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Western Australia. Key features of DAMPAA included group walking and yarning sessions incorporating health and well-being education twice a week, alongside a six-month home program. A theory of change framework guided a parallel process evaluation, co-developed with Aboriginal Community–Controlled Health Services and an Elders Governance Group. The evaluation involved two distinct groups: Elders who participated in the program and staff involved in its design and delivery. Qualitative data [...]
Improving Mental Health Referral Systems in Rural Australia: Co-Design Study With Health Professionals and Consumers
admin2025-11-13T09:45:19+11:00Abstract Background:In rural Australia, geographical isolation, limited resources, and complex health care navigation create significant barriers to mental health care access. Mental health care professionals and organizations often work in segregation, exacerbating existing barriers. Digital technology provides an opportunity to improve communication between providers and streamline workflows while supporting a diverse range of consumers. Objective:This co-design study aimed to identify rural community needs and explore digital solutions to enhance mental health service delivery pathways. Methods:Using a design-thinking methodology, we conducted focus groups and workshops with 17 participants (7 consumers and caregivers and 10 health care professionals) from a rural region [...]
Towards a National Longitudinal Tracking Framework of Health Graduate Practice Locations
admin2025-11-13T09:44:16+11:00Aims Workforce maldistribution is a challenge to the equitable provision of healthcare in Australia. This Commentary details how a multi-university, large-scale, and growing data asset is positioned to contribute strategically and operationally to addressing national workforce priorities. Context The Nursing and Allied Health Graduate Outcome Tracking (NAHGOT) study is a prospective longitudinal research project with a commitment to nationwide geographical coverage. NAHGOT links practice location data (the outcome) from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) with university administrative records, such as admission and placement data (explanatory variables). NAHGOT also links external surveys and publicly available spatial data describing socio-economic conditions and [...]
August 2025
Impacts of University Departments of Rural Health to Their Regions Through Intellectual Capital
admin2025-11-13T09:53:04+11:00Objective This paper aims to identify ways in which University Departments of Rural Health (UDRHs) contribute intellectual capital to their rural and remote regions. Background UDRHs contribute to their regions through various means, including student placements, workforce development, First Nations support and training, community engagement, economic impacts and research. UDRHs also contribute to various forms of community capital, although there remains a lack of detailed understanding of how UDRHs contribute to the intellectual capital of their regions. Methods Senior staff from six UDRHs worked from a constructivist research paradigm as ‘insider’ researchers to identify four key avenues through which UDRHs [...]
University Departments of Rural Health and cancer research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations
admin2025-11-13T10:04:07+11:00Cancer is one of the most common causes of illness and death in Australia, and it has been well documented that people living in rural and remote areas have poorer outcomes.1 A large proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (henceforth respectfully referred to as Indigenous) people live in regional, rural and remote locations. Cancer is the leading cause of death for Indigenous Australians, who are more likely to have poor outcomes compared to non-Indigenous Australians regardless of rurality.1 University Departments of Rural Health (UDRHs) were first established more than 25 years ago as part of a strategy to build [...]
A mixed methods systematic review of interprofessional education and collaborative practice in rural healthcare settings
admin2025-11-13T10:05:12+11:00ABSTRACT Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) involves healthcare workers and/or students from at least two professions working alongside patients, to improve the quality of healthcare provided. IPECP implementation in rural areas, however, lags due to limited resources and workforce shortages. This systematic review was undertaken to identify the enablers and barriers to the implementation of IPECP initiatives in rural healthcare settings. The JBI mixed methods review methodology and PRISMA guidelines were followed. Studies included peer-reviewed articles of IPECP initiatives implemented in rural healthcare settings identified in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science, alongside gray literature searches. Following screening, [...]