Recent Research Papers and Reports

Researchers from the University Departments of Rural Health publish in a wide variety of national and international journals.

A selection of the most recent papers is provided below.

Date Published

Publication Title (click to view)

13
Aug, 2025
University Departments of Rural Health and cancer research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations
University Departments of Rural Health and cancer research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations
Abstract Summary
Cancer 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 [...]
10
Aug, 2025
A mixed methods systematic review of interprofessional education and collaborative practice in rural healthcare settings
A mixed methods systematic review of interprofessional education and collaborative practice in rural healthcare settings
Abstract Summary
ABSTRACT 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, [...]
1
Aug, 2025
How Australian Rural Health Academic Centres Contribute to Developing the Health Workforce to Improve Indigenous Health: A Focused Narrative Review
How Australian Rural Health Academic Centres Contribute to Developing the Health Workforce to Improve Indigenous Health: A Focused Narrative Review
Abstract Summary
Background/Objectives: Improving health outcomes for Indigenous people by strengthening the cultural safety of care is a vital challenge for the health sector. University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH), academic centres based in regional, rural, and remote (RRR) locations across Australia, are uniquely positioned to foster a culturally safe rural health workforce through training, education, and engagement with Indigenous communities. This narrative review examines the contributions of UDRHs to health workforce issues through analysis of their publications focused on Indigenous health. Methods: Research articles relating to workforce were identified from an established database of UDRH Indigenous health-related publications published 2010–2021. Results: [...]
1
Aug, 2025
How Australian Rural Health Academic Centres Contribute to Developing the Health Workforce to Improve Indigenous Health: A Focused Narrative Review
How Australian Rural Health Academic Centres Contribute to Developing the Health Workforce to Improve Indigenous Health: A Focused Narrative Review
Abstract Summary
Abstract Background/Objectives: Improving health outcomes for Indigenous people by strengthening the cultural safety of care is a vital challenge for the health sector. University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH), academic centres based in regional, rural, and remote (RRR) locations across Australia, are uniquely positioned to foster a culturally safe rural health workforce through training, education, and engagement with Indigenous communities. This narrative review examines the contributions of UDRHs to health workforce issues through analysis of their publications focused on Indigenous health. Methods: Research articles relating to workforce were identified from an established database of UDRH Indigenous health-related publications published 2010–2021. [...]
31
Jul, 2025
Embedding research into the organisational structure of smaller rural hospitals: building research culture and capacity and understanding perceived rural health workforce benefit
Embedding research into the organisational structure of smaller rural hospitals: building research culture and capacity and understanding perceived rural health workforce benefit
Abstract Summary
Abstract Background Rural hospitals in Australia have not been afforded the same opportunities for research activity as their metropolitan counterparts. Equitable access to career and research opportunities has been identified as a potential strategy to enhance workforce satisfaction and retention in rural areas. Smaller rural hospitals show potential in being key settings for research; but minimal investment has translated into a lack of action and knowledge. Practical examples of how this can be done from an organisational structure point of view, are limited in the literature. Methods This cross-sectional study was undertaken in a rural hospital that services rural communities [...]
30
Jul, 2025
Evaluation capacity building in a rural Victorian community service organisation: A formative evaluation
Evaluation capacity building in a rural Victorian community service organisation: A formative evaluation
Abstract Summary
Community service organisations are increasingly required to report on outcomes and evaluate program delivery. While commonplace in clinical health settings, such work is novel to the community sector and can be challenging to undertake given resourcing and evaluation capacity constraints. These constraints are exacerbated for rural community service organisations that face additional resource pressures and lack organisational systems to support such work. This formative evaluation reports on an evaluation capacity building program within a rural place-based community service organisation in southwest Victoria, Australia. As part of the program, monitoring, evaluation, and learning pilots were implemented to support selected teams (N = 4 [...]
21
Jul, 2025
Exploring Occupational Therapists Use of the Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform Assessment When Working With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Northern Territory
Exploring Occupational Therapists Use of the Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform Assessment When Working With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Northern Territory
Abstract Summary
ABSTRACT Objective Explore perspectives of occupational therapists on the use of the Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform Assessment (PRPP-A) to assess functional cognition when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Setting Health services in the Northern Territory. Participants Thirteen occupational therapists trained in the use of the PRPP-A and experienced in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Design A qualitative, exploratory research design was adopted. Data were collected via focus groups, which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Each transcript was systematically reviewed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach and inductively coded. Shared meaning was identified and [...]
1
Jul, 2025
Access to preventive health assessments for people with intellectual disability: a systematic scoping review informed by the Levesque Access Framework
Access to preventive health assessments for people with intellectual disability: a systematic scoping review informed by the Levesque Access Framework
Abstract Summary
Abstract Introduction Access to preventive care is essential for addressing the stark health inequities between people with intellectual disability and the general population. Despite evidence that structured annual preventive health assessments in primary care can support the delivery of evidence-based care to people with intellectual disability, their uptake remains low. This scoping review synthesises the literature examining the multiple dimensions of access to health assessments to identify the supply- and demand-side factors that are impacting on people with intellectual disability’s access to them. Methods This scoping review followed JBI methodology. We systematically searched six databases on 15 February 2024 for [...]
1
Jul, 2025
Sociodemographic predictors of missed and delayed health care among older Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the 45 and up COVID Insights study.
Sociodemographic predictors of missed and delayed health care among older Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the 45 and up COVID Insights study.
Abstract Summary
Abstract Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately disrupted healthcare access for vulnerable populations, including older adults. This study examines sociodemographic predictors of missed or delayed care (MDC) among Australians aged ≥65 years across three pandemic time points (July–December 2020, June–August 2021, and March 2022). Methods A repeated cross-sectional design was employed. Data were sourced from The 45 and Up COVID Insights study. Logistic regression analysed predictors of MDC, with sociodemographic variables including chronic conditions, psychological distress, cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD), disability status, gender, socioeconomic disadvantage, and geographic remoteness, included for analysis. Results Three temporal patterns of MDC were identified: 1) [...]
1
Jul, 2025
Policy driven community development in rural and remote Australia: Analysis of University Departments of Rural Health using the Community Capitals framework
Policy driven community development in rural and remote Australia: Analysis of University Departments of Rural Health using the Community Capitals framework
Abstract Summary
While community development is locally driven, it can stem from government investment. The Australian government has funded 19 University Departments of Rural Health (UDRHs) across Australia as one step to address health workforce shortages in rural and remote regions. These UDRHs train students, conduct research and support local health services and communities. While some UDRH contributions have been assessed, there is a lack of understanding of the impact of UDRHs for their rural and remote communities. This paper seeks to understand the impacts of UDRHs through application of the Community Capitals framework. Examples and case studies were developed by senior [...]