Revised model for evaluating visiting health care services in rural and remote settings.

Abstract

Visiting health care services were developed to improve access to essential health care in rural and remote areas. Evaluating these services requires a robust framework. The objective of this study was to assess the confirmability and credibility of a model of 7 principles for effective visiting health care services. Three iterative online survey rounds administered between July and December 2020. A heterogeneous panel of 13 experts in rural and remote health care participated, including managers of health care services, senior clinical staff in rural and remote regions and research academics specialising in rural infrastructure. The model was appraised using the Delphi method involving iterative online survey rounds to facilitate anonymous and structured discussion between panel members. Findings indicate consensus between panel members and support for a revised model. The revised model includes 4 modifications: (a) proposal of a new principle titled Feasibility, (b) restructure of 2 existing principles, (c) refined shape of the model to more accurately reflect the nature of service delivery and (d) detailed definitions of each principle. This study presents a credible, revised version of the model of 7 principles for effective visiting services. This will enhance the quality of the health workforce across geographically large countries, like Australia, enabling organisations to more effectively and consistently evaluate the impact of their service on rural and remote communities.