Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations University of Queenlsand Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations

Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations

 
 


Health service use

The ALSWH regularly collects information about how women rate their access to health care services, including questions about how often they visit the doctor, their access to female GPs, the number of GPs from which to choose, their satisfaction with the GP consultation, and their preference for a female GP.

ALSWH findings have indicated that continuity of GP care was generally better in non-urban areas, especially for women living in large rural centres, however, being able to see their GP of choice was more difficult for women living in non-urban areas.(1) Many women living in regional areas report lower access to female doctors, and this may reduce their willingness to seek help for some conditions which may be treatable (see Table). Although lower ratings were strongly associated with increasing degree of remoteness, there were some improvements over time in ratings for women in Outer Regional areas.(2) Programs to attract and retain doctors in regional areas should include a special focus on access to female doctors.


Percentage of mid-age women rating their access to a female GP access
 as excellent, very good or good, by year and area of residence.

References
1. Young AF, Dobson AJ. (2003). The decline in bulk billing and the rising out-of-pocket costs for general practice consultations in rural areas of Australia, 1995-2001. Medical Journal of Australia, 178, 122-126.
2. Young AF, Dolja-Gore X. (2007) Access to health services for mid-aged women in rural Australia: evidence of improvement? Proceedings of 9th National Rural Health Conference. Albury: National Rural Health Alliance (CD-ROM).

For further information on health service use, see our other publications:

Reports

  • ALSWH. Rural women and health service use. Summary report prepared for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, University of Newcastle & University of Queensland. April 2005.


Papers

  • Young AF, Byles JE & Dobson AJ. Women’s satisfaction with general practice consultations. Medical Journal of Australia, 1998; 168: 386-389.
  • Young AF, Dobson AJ & Byles J. Access and equity in the provision of general practitioner services in Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2000; 24(5): 474-480.
  • Young AF, Dobson AJ & Byles JE. Health services research using linked records: Who consents and what is the gain? Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2001; 25(5): 417-420.
  • Hussain R, Schofield M & Loxton D. Cosmetic surgery history and health service use in midlife: Women’s Health Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 2002; 176: 576-579.
  • Young AF & Dobson AJ. The decline in bulk billing and increase in out-of-pocket costs for general practice consultations in rural areas of Australia, 1995-2001. Medical Journal of Australia, 2003; 178: 122-126.
  • Byles J, Young A, & Wheway V. Annual health assessments for Older Australian Women: uptake and equity. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2007; 31: 170-173.


 
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Last updated: 25 July 2007 by Cath Chojenta © Copyright