Abstract
The Australian population is ageing, a trend occurring globally in developed world nations [1]. This change in the population demographic has led to policy reform as a mechanism to stem the predicted increased demand on the health care system particularly for chronic disease management and palliative care [2-4]. Australia’s population is approximately 23 million and is concentrated in the major cities on the coastal fringe in each state and territory. Those who do not live in these cities reside in rural areas. Research demonstrates that rural Australians are disadvantaged and have inequitable access to a range of services including health care compared to city counterparts [1]. Ageing rural people are at increased risk of being further disadvantaged as the demand for available health care intensifies.
Highlights
The Australian population is ageing, a trend occurring globally in developed world nations [1]
Research demonstrates that rural Australians are disadvantaged and have inequitable access to a range of services including health care compared to city counterparts [1]
Small close-knit communities and a slower pace of life are characteristically cited as positives associated with living in rural locations
Summary
The Australian population is ageing, a trend occurring globally in developed world nations [1] This change in the population demographic has led to policy reform as a mechanism to stem the predicted increased demand on the health care system for chronic disease management and palliative care [2,3,4]. Australia’s population is approximately 23 million and is concentrated in the major cities on the coastal fringe in each state and territory Those who do not live in these cities reside in rural areas. Nurses are the largest group of health professional’s accounting for 50% of the entire health workforce [5] This percentage increases the more remote the practice context, and in some communities nurses are the sole health care professionals locally available. Nurses are well distributed throughout all areas of Australia and as such have been identified as the most appropriate members of the health workforce to deliver necessary health services to rural populations [5]
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