What is it about?

Paediatric patients in Australia experience lengthy wait times for Primary and Allied Healthcare Service (PAHCS) appointments. This results in a lack of satisfaction and adverse health outcomes.

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Why is it important?

Very few studies have explored wait times for appointments with PAHCSs in Australia. This study explored the length of wait time and associated barriers to timely access to paediatric PAHCSs in Australia. As Australian paediatric patients are severely burdened with long wait times for appointments with PAHCSs, primarily, due to the poor government initiatives in rural PAHCSs. This study suggested that the criteria for booking an appointment in PAHCSs need to be simplified. Besides, adequate public health funding and the provision of resources are required in rural PAHCSs.

Perspectives

This article was a great team effort and will help to inform the gaps in services provision for children in a timely manner. The team members have a longstanding relationship and collaborations. The team's work in supporting children and parents in their efforts to access health is inspirational.

Dr Yvonne Karen Parry
Flinders University

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Australian Caregivers’ Experiences of Paediatric Wait times for Primary and Allied Healthcare Appointments: A Scoping Review, Health & Social Care in the Community, January 2024, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1155/2024/4277668.
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