Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN)

ARHEN is the national association for the 19 University Departments of Rural Health across rural and remote Australia.

Our purpose is to promote the health and wellbeing of people in rural and remote Australia by delivering high-quality health education, research and advocacy.

Our member organisations, the University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH), are academic centres based in rural and remote Australia.

Each year, the UDRHs support more than 15,000 nursing, midwifery and allied health students to experience the opportunities and rewards of studying, living and working as a health professional in rural and remote regions.

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Recent Research Papers and Reports

Date Published

Publication Title (click to view)

6
Mar, 2024
The Influence of Connection on Early Career Nurses’ Rural Experiences: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study
The Influence of Connection on Early Career Nurses’ Rural Experiences: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study
Abstract Summary
Introduction. Rural nursing careers offer a multitude of benefits for individuals. Despite this, there continues to be a growing deficit in the number of nurses choosing to practice in rural areas. As the first 12–18 months of a nursing career are fundamental in shaping career location decisions, it is important to explore factors that influence early career nurses’ employment decisions. Methods. A phenomenological study was undertaken to explore early career nurses’ experiences during their first year of rural practice and describe how the nurses’ experiences influenced their decision to remain in rural employment. Data were collected via semistructured interviews and underwent inductive […]
5
Mar, 2024
University staff perspectives on determinants of high-quality health professions student placements in regional, rural and remote Australia: protocol for a mixed-method study.
University staff perspectives on determinants of high-quality health professions student placements in regional, rural and remote Australia: protocol for a mixed-method study.
Abstract Summary
Introduction In rural areas, work-integrated learning in the form of health student placements has several potential benefits, including contributing to student learning, enhancing rural health service capacity and attracting future rural health workforce. Understanding what constitutes a high-quality rural placement experience is important for enhancing these outcomes. There is no current standardised definition of quality in the context of rural health placements, nor is there understanding of how this can be achieved across different rural contexts. This study is guided by one broad research question: what do university staff believe are the determina
24
Feb, 2024
Barriers and enablers of dementia training in healthcare workers in rural and remote Australia: A coping review to inform future approaches to training.
Barriers and enablers of dementia training in healthcare workers in rural and remote Australia: A coping review to inform future approaches to training.
Abstract Summary
Introduction: Dementia is now responsible for the greatest burden of disease of any chronic illness in older Australians. Rural and remote communities bear the impacts of this disproportionately. Additional training and education for healthcare staff to support people living with dementia is needed. Objective: The objective of this scoping review was to map and synthesise the evidence related to barriers and enablers of accessing dementia training for Australian healthcare workers located in rural and remote areas. Design: This scoping review systematically searched multiple databases in January 2023 for peer-reviewed literature on the topic. Reviewers used Covidence to screen titles and abstracts of located […]
14
Feb, 2024
Incidence of Stroke in Indigenous Populations of Countries With a Very High Human Development Index: A Systematic Review
Incidence of Stroke in Indigenous Populations of Countries With a Very High Human Development Index: A Systematic Review
Abstract Summary
Background and objectives: Cardiovascular disease contributes significantly to disease burden among many Indigenous populations. However, data on stroke incidence in Indigenous populations are sparse. We aimed to investigate what is known of stroke incidence in Indigenous populations of countries with a very high Human Development Index (HDI), locating the research in the broader context of Indigenous health. Methods: We identified population-based stroke incidence studies published between 1990 and 2022 among Indigenous adult populations of developed countries using PubMed, Embase, and Global Health databases, without language restriction. We excluded non-peer-reviewed sources, studies with fewer than 10 Indigenous people, or not covering a 35- […]
12
Feb, 2024
Acute coronary syndrome pathway use and differences in intervention times in rural hospitals: A retrospective cohort analysis
Acute coronary syndrome pathway use and differences in intervention times in rural hospitals: A retrospective cohort analysis
Abstract Summary
Background The potential that clinical pathways support reduced time-to-intervention is of heightened importance in emergency department (ED) presentations with life-threatening conditions, such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS). There is limited contemporary evidence regarding ACS Pathway use in a hybrid documentation system or across rural facilities with varying ED capacities. This study examined ACS Pathway use and the associated time-to-interventions in one rural health district to assess this potential. Methods Data from 202 ED self-presentations that received an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) diagnosis in one Australian rural health district were reviewed. The outcomes were documented ACS Pathway use and four binary time-to-intervention outcomes: […]
12
Dec, 2023
Lived experience narratives in health professional education: educators’ perspectives of a co-designed, online mental health education resource
Lived experience narratives in health professional education: educators’ perspectives of a co-designed, online mental health education resource
Abstract Summary
Introduction Meaningful involvement of people with lived experience is an invaluable approach to education that facilitates the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes for collaborative, compassionate and person-centred healthcare practice. The purpose of this evaluation was to gain health professional educators’ perspectives of an online learning resource that presents the lived experiences of people who have been consumers of the Australian mental health system. Methods A cross sectional study design was used to survey educators who had registered to use the online education resource. Data were collected using an online survey and follow-up interviews. Two lived experience researchers were involved […]
6
Oct, 2023
Responsiveness of a rural Aboriginal community controlled health organisation: A qualitative study
Responsiveness of a rural Aboriginal community controlled health organisation: A qualitative study
Abstract Summary
Introduction Responsiveness of health care systems is a global concept defined as the ability of systems to function in a manner that meets the expectations of individuals, and is under-studied. In Australia, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) are valued by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for the provision of holistic culturally safe primary health care and are well positioned to be responsive to community needs. Objective To develop a conceptual framework examining the responsiveness of a rural ACCHO to the health care needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in their service region. Design A qualitative interview […]
4
Oct, 2023
A scoping review of the barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilising mental health services across regional, rural, and remote Australia
A scoping review of the barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilising mental health services across regional, rural, and remote Australia
Abstract Summary
Background Inadequate healthcare access and utilisation are implicated in the mental health burden experienced by those living in regional, rural, and remote Australia. Facilitators that better enable access and utilisation are also reported in the literature. To date, a synthesis on both the barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilising mental health services within the rural Australian context has not been undertaken. This scoping review aims to (1) synthesise the barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilising mental health services in regional, rural, and remote Australia, as identified using the Modified Monash Model; and (2) better understand the relationship between […]
23
Sep, 2023
The distribution of registered occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and podiatrists in Australia
The distribution of registered occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and podiatrists in Australia
Abstract Summary
Background In Australia, the distribution of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and podiatrists density (per 10,000 population) by measure of location/rurality, usual resident population, and area-level socioeconomic status has not been described. Objective To describe the national as well as states-and territories-wide distribution of registered allied health workforce—occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and podiatrists—by measures of rurality and area-level socioeconomic position in Australia. Methods A linked data study that brings together (1) the location of health practitioners’ principal place of practice from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, (2) a measure of location/rurality—Modified Monash Model (MMM), and (3) an area-level measure of socioeconomic status—Index […]
3
Sep, 2023
Volunteering as prosocial behaviour by medical students following a flooding disaster and impacts on their mental health: A mixed-methods study.
Volunteering as prosocial behaviour by medical students following a flooding disaster and impacts on their mental health: A mixed-methods study.
Abstract Summary
Background Volunteering is a form of prosocial behaviour that has a been recognised as having positive benefits for medical students. However, there is a lack of research on what influences students to volunteer during and after weather-related disasters. Our study (1) explores factors related to medical students’ willingness and readiness to volunteer, and (2) describes mental health impacts of the flood events on students. Methods We conducted a mixed-methods study of medical students on rural clinical placements in a regional area of Australia, 2 to 6 weeks after two major flooding events in 2022. Data were collected through survey and focus […]

Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN) Follow

The Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN) is the national association for the 19 University Departments of Rural Health across Australia

Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN) @arhen_1 ·

10 Apr

Check out the new branding and website for @UCRH_NC and learn more about the team and their work supporting health students and professionals in the NSW Northern Rivers region.👏

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Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN) @arhen_1 ·

10 Apr

Another bumper edition of The Current from CSU Three Rivers Department of Rural Health 🌟

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James Cook Uni @jcu ·

12 Mar

👏🩺Congratulations to @nwqran and the team at @JCUCQCRRH who yesterday marked the start of construction of the new Federally-funded $4.2 million University Department of Rural Health facility designed to offer world-class clinical training in Emerald.

📸by Di Stanley

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Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN)

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Recent Research Papers and Reports