Satisfaction with access to healthcare: qualitative study of rural patients and practitioners

Content Provider	Scilit
Author	Croker, Joanne E. Campbell, John L.
Copyright Year	2009
Description	AimTo gain insight into factors affecting patient and practitioner satisfaction with access to healthcare in a remote rural island community.BackgroundGeneral practice based primary care is the focus of health service delivery in rural areas of the UK. Individuals from rural populations have reported inequalities in access to healthcare. User satisfaction with service performance is recognised as an important outcome of healthcare. Further investigation into factors underpinning patient and practitioner satisfaction with access to rural healthcare is required.Design of StudyQualitative interviews with patients and primary healthcare practitioners.SettingIsles of Scilly, Cornwall, UK.MethodsA topic guide was developed following review of the literature. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 23 participants were conducted with individuals from all inhabited islands. Detailed field notes were kept, and interview content was partially transcribed and analysed thematically.FindingsPrincipal themes identified were common to patient and practitioner participants. These were: concerns expressed regarding the equitable provision of services; obstacles to using health services; and the outlook of patients and professionals, including expectations, choice, patient–practitioner relationships and community cohesiveness. Emerging themes gave insight into a range of factors affecting satisfaction with access to healthcare.ConclusionDespite numerous policy initiatives aimed at reducing inequities in health service provision, problems with access and uptake of health services persist amongst individuals from remote rural populations. If implemented, recent National Health Service proposals may address some of the challenges identified by participants. Service developments need to take account of local priorities, expectations, geography and demography to achieve favourable outcomes.
Related Links	https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/98865C09F8DB78734E370F32C5EE2B12/S1463423609990156a.pdf/div-class-title-satisfaction-with-access-to-healthcare-qualitative-study-of-rural-patients-and-practitioners-div.pdf
Ending Page	319
Page Count	11
Starting Page	309
ISSN	14634236
e-ISSN	14771128
DOI	10.1017/s1463423609990156
Journal	Primary health care research & development
Issue Number	04
Volume Number	10
Language	English
Publisher	Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publisher Date	2009-10-01
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Primary health care research & development Primary Health Care Qualitative Research Service Delivery and Organisation
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health Care Planning