Healthcare services for people with acquired disability in South-East Queensland, Australia: Assessing potential proximity and its association with service obstacles

First published online 01 September 2022.

Why this study was done

People with acquired disabilities, such as acquired brain injury (ABI) and spinal cord injury (SCI), often need ongoing healthcare and rehabilitation services. Accessing these services can be difficult, especially if services are located far from where people live. This study explored how close people in South-East Queensland were to key healthcare services and whether distance was related to difficulties accessing care.

What the study did

The researchers:

• Identified healthcare services commonly used by people with ABI and SCI in South-East Queensland.
• Used mapping and spatial analysis to estimate travel times from different communities to these services.
• Combined this information with data from a longitudinal study involving people living with acquired disability.
• Examined whether living further away from services was associated with greater reported barriers to accessing healthcare.

What the study found

• People's access to healthcare services differed depending on where they lived. Some communities had good access to healthcare and rehabilitation services, while others had relatively few services nearby.
• Longer travel distances created additional barriers. People living further away from services often faced greater challenges accessing the care they needed. Poor geographic access was associated with more service obstacles.
• Participants who lived in areas with lower service availability were more likely to report difficulties obtaining healthcare. Location matters for ongoing health and wellbeing. Where a person lives can significantly influence their ability to receive ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and support after acquiring a disability.
• Mapping service accessibility can help identify gaps. Understanding where services are located can help governments and service providers identify areas where additional support is needed.

What this means

People with acquired disability may not receive timely or appropriate healthcare when services are too far away or difficult to reach. Improving local service availability, increasing outreach programs, expanding telehealth options, and improving transport access may help reduce barriers to care.

The findings highlight the importance of considering where services are located when planning disability and healthcare systems to ensure equitable access for all Australians.

This study was conducted by: Dr David N. Borg, Dr Joshua J. Bon, Professor Michele M. Foster, Dr Ali Lakhani, Associate Professor Melissa Kendall, and Professor Tim Geraghty.

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Disclaimer: The QDRN has utilised generative AI to refine the wording of this plain language summary. All content has been checked for accuracy, appropriate tone, and clarity and approved by the author.