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Faculty of Medicine, Health & Molecular Sciences  

Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health


Research
Background

Rural and remote areas in Australia are characterised by large distances and low population densities. Both these factors affect the range of health services available, and access to all levels of health care. Rural health issues differ from those in more populous areas (often affecting work-related morbidity and mortality) and the extent of illness is significantly worse than in metropolitan areas. Among rural residents the aged, women, the poor, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been identified as being especially disadvantaged in access to health care. Rural communities throughout Australia face largely common issues: appropriate models of service delivery, recruitment and retention of health professionals, equitable access to health care and appropriate education and training for rural health workers. The National Rural Health Strategy (1996) specified five areas for work to improve rural health. These are: rural health care needs, resource allocation and service provision, rural and remote workforce issues, primary health care approach and evaluation and health outcomes. The Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health (MICRRH) has adopted a strategic and collaborative approach, involving local, state, national and international partners in order to establish a research program relevant to local needs and in keeping with national policies and priorities.


Strategic Planning
A Research group Meeting MICRRH began a process of strategic planning to develop its research program in January 2000. A strategic approach was adopted to minimise duplication of research efforts in the region; encourage collaboration between rural health researchers and organisations; and develop a program of research projects to be conducted and overseen by MICRRH. Continuing key activities involve consultation with rural health researchers and local stakeholders, development of our own research projects, fostering a local research capacity, and establishing a postgraduate research program.


Research Agenda

The Centre's research agenda covers the broad areas of:

  • Remote health workforce
  • Remote health service delivery
  • Remote population health (eg chronic disease, injury)
  • Indigenous health
  • Educational research and evaluation


Core Research Staff

Photo of Stephanie De La Rue
Dr. Stephanie De La Rue
Research Manager

  • Community Info Net Project
  • PHCRED Coordination
  • Rural and Remote Road Safety Project
  • The Mount Isa Community Partnership Program Evaluation
  • Family Healing Program Evaluation
Photo of Kristin McBain
Kristin McBain
PhD Candidate
  • The Mount Isa Community Partnerships Program Evaluation
  • Rural and Remote Road Safety Project


Affiliated Researchers

Photo of Catrina Felton-Busch
Catrina Felton-Busch
Indigenous Studies Coordinator
  • Indigenous Health Worker help seeking role
  • Facilitating career pathways for Indigenous Health Workers
  • Bulletproofing Indigenous Health Students and Staff Against Racism


Links

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Mount Isa Centre for Rural & Remote Health   Funded by the Department of Health & Ageing, Australian Government
Telephone: +61 7 4745 4500  Fax: +61 7 4749 5130   Email: micrrh@jcu.edu.au
Content Provided By: De La Rue, Stephanie.  Authorised By: Pashen, Dennis.    Page Last Updated: 17 January 2008