Creating sustainable programs to support health and wellbeing for older adults in rural Australia.
Tracks
Ballroom 3
Community
Evidence Based Policy
Future Directions
Implementation
Models of Care
Wellness / Well Being
| Friday, November 15, 2024 |
| 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM |
Speaker
Dr Kristy Robson
Senior Research Fellow
Three Rivers Department Of Rural Health, Charles Sturt University
Creating sustainable programs to support health and wellbeing for older adults in rural Australia.
Abstract
Introduction:
The implementation of health and wellbeing programs in rural areas is often complicated by well-known challenges that impact ongoing sustainability. Ensuring that community-based programs are adaptable for the rural context is critical, but there is limited guidance available on strategies that support successful implementation in rural areas.
Methods:
The aim of this scoping review was to identify strategies that can support sustainable implementation of programs with older adults in rural Australia. The review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Seven databases were searched, and a thematic analysis was conducted.
Results:
Of 1277 records screened, 15 studies were identified and included in the review. Five themes were identified as key enablers for rural implementation: 1) Co-designing for the local context; 2) Embedding local champions; 3) Leveraging existing local resources; 4) Maintaining impact beyond the end of the funded period; 5) Flexibility in funding modes.
Discussion:
This review brings together real-world strategies to overcome well-known barriers to program implementation in rural areas. It highlights that the design and implementation of rural programs must recognise the pivotal role of collaborative processes that integrate local expertise through methods such as local partnership and co-design. These collaborative strategies improved program efficacy and sustainability in rural areas.
Conclusion:
Further work needs to be undertaken to ensure program design and delivery is better informed by practical and evidenced-based approaches that appropriately reflect the unique contextual needs and strengths of rural Australian communities.
The implementation of health and wellbeing programs in rural areas is often complicated by well-known challenges that impact ongoing sustainability. Ensuring that community-based programs are adaptable for the rural context is critical, but there is limited guidance available on strategies that support successful implementation in rural areas.
Methods:
The aim of this scoping review was to identify strategies that can support sustainable implementation of programs with older adults in rural Australia. The review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Seven databases were searched, and a thematic analysis was conducted.
Results:
Of 1277 records screened, 15 studies were identified and included in the review. Five themes were identified as key enablers for rural implementation: 1) Co-designing for the local context; 2) Embedding local champions; 3) Leveraging existing local resources; 4) Maintaining impact beyond the end of the funded period; 5) Flexibility in funding modes.
Discussion:
This review brings together real-world strategies to overcome well-known barriers to program implementation in rural areas. It highlights that the design and implementation of rural programs must recognise the pivotal role of collaborative processes that integrate local expertise through methods such as local partnership and co-design. These collaborative strategies improved program efficacy and sustainability in rural areas.
Conclusion:
Further work needs to be undertaken to ensure program design and delivery is better informed by practical and evidenced-based approaches that appropriately reflect the unique contextual needs and strengths of rural Australian communities.
Biography
Dr Kristy Robson is a Senior Research Fellow with the Three Rivers Department of Rural Health at Charles Sturt University. Kristy has significant experience working as a clinician, academic and researcher in rural and regional areas for the past 28 years contributing to improving health outcomes for community members living in rural and regional Australia. Kristy has undertaken extensive research in the areas of healthy ageing, chronic disease, and rural health services evaluation. She has a keen research interest in sustaining rural health workforce and in interprofessional collaboration, as well as developing interprofessional experiences of allied health students, both in Australia and internationally. Kristy is the co-founder of Wellness 2 Age, an innovative strengths-based program to support older rural community members to age well. Kristy also sits on a number boards and committees at a local, state and national level to advocate for quality health outcomes for rural communities.
Session Chair
Yaping Zhong
Research Fellow
Monash University
