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The Health Service Systems (HSS) Theme area is one of two key operational areas within the UDRH, the other being Rural Workforce Support.
The HSS aims to contribute to the sustainability of Tasmania’s rural health service through the provision of support for the development and operation of innovative health service models that apply a whole of system approach that integrates the physical (including oral), mental and social health service systems.
The three pillars of all HSS activity are research, education and community participation. Work of the HSS theme area seeks to address the priority health needs of a diverse range of communities that make up rural and regional Tasmania including early childhood and youth, ageing population, indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Following are examples of work currently being undertaken by staff within the HSS theme area under their respective sub-themes areas:
Innovative Health Service Models
Strategy: To undertake research into sustainable and innovative health service delivery models that support an integrated, interdisciplinary whole of system approach to health care
- Research and evaluation of health service models and policy evolving from the implementation of the Tasmanian Health plan
- Support for the development of culturally sensitive Indigenous and refugee health service models
- Evaluation of the postcard model (model for community/health service dialogue)
- Oral Health
Mental Health
Strategy: To support the development of a more holistic and interdisciplinary approach to addressing psychosocial health issues in rural Tasmania and with marginalised and CALD communities
- Conduct collaborative research and research training within mental health services in three rural communities and with refugee and CALD communities
- Mapping of mental health service capacity
- Research and program activity relating to suicide prevention
- Develop collaborative research programs with the Migrant Resource Centre
- Develop expertise in culture and trauma service development, regionally nationally and internationally
Community Participation
Strategy: To work with rural communities in the design and implementation of initiatives that enhances the health and well being of all community members
- Community Health Needs Analysis: Provision of support to rural communities in mapping the health and wellbeing needs of their respective communities. These activities are aimed at building the capacity of rural communities to participate in health service planning through the identification of local health priorities and possible solutions.
- Models of leadership and governance that facilitate partnerships
- Application of geographic information system (GIS) models and small area data in decision making
- Research factors influencing community readiness and efficacy such as social capital and the role of boundary crossers
- Long term impacts of community engagement with rural communities
Population Health and Chronic Disease Prevention and Management
Strategy: To undertake collaborative research that supports a population health promotion perspective to chronic illness prevention and management
- Social Norms Analysis Project(SNAP): Investigate changing profile of substance use in rural areas, and influence policy and practice on basis of SNAP results
- Sustainable Farm Families (SFF): Develop a group of trained facilitators to run a sustainable, ongoing SFF program which trials and delivers an evidenced based program designed to improve the health and wellbeing of rural Tasmanian families
- Analyse "care pathways" of people with chronic illness in rural areas
- Undertake collaborative projects on physical activity, nutrition and health promotion in chronic illness prevention and self-management
- Healthy Eating Healthy Ageing study
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