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The issues influencing community health services and primary health care
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Australian Journal of Primary Health

Australian Journal of Primary Health

Australian Journal of Primary Health publishes contributions on the theory and evidence-based practise of community health services and primary health care. Read more about the journalMore

Editors-in-Chief: Virginia Lewis and Liz Sturgiss

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Australian Journal of Primary Health is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 02 October 2025

PY25124Reproductive coercion: the role of clinicians in general practice

Susan Saldanha 0000-0002-6699-3688, Khue Le, Jessica R. Botfield, Stella May Gwini 0000-0002-0295-4575 and Danielle Mazza
 

Reproductive coercion, where individuals are pressured or forced into pregnancy-related decisions, can cause serious harm, yet remains under-recognised in general practice settings. This forum article explores the unique role of clinicians in general practice in identifying and responding to this form of violence, highlighting key challenges and practical strategies for improvement. Strengthening the role of general practice can help ensure safer, more respectful care for women experiencing reproductive coercion.

PY25124 Abstract  |  PY25124 Full Text  | PY25124PDF (305 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 25 September 2025

PY24167Social movements and the Whitlam-initiated community health movement in Australia

Fran Baum, Connie Musolino, Toby Freeman 0000-0002-2787-8580, Denise Fry, Paul Laris, Virginia Lewis 0000-0001-7802-625X, David Legge, Jenny Macmillan and Tony McBride
 

This article describes the important roles of social movements in shaping community health centres in Australia. Using oral history, we describe how the labour, women’s, Aboriginal, trade union and community-oriented medicine movements were vital in the creation of publicly funded community health offering an alternative to fee-for-service primary medical care. The research helps contemporary health policy debates by highlighting the value of primary healthcare using a range of strategies: individual clinical encounters, support and advocacy groups, and community empowerment initiatives.

This article belongs to the collection: Models of Community Health in Action.

PY24167 Abstract  |  PY24167 Full Text  | PY24167PDF (789 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 23 September 2025

PY25061Access denied: financial, structural, and personal barriers to health service use in a universal health system

Daniel Demant 0000-0003-3330-2972
 

Many people continue to miss out on health care, even when they feel they need it. This study explores why people do not access health services and found that cost, long wait times and not knowing where to go are the most commonly perceived barriers. These findings highlight the need for health systems to better address the practical and informational challenges that prevent people from getting the care they need.

PY25061 Abstract  |  PY25061 Full Text  | PY25061PDF (267 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 22 September 2025

PY25097Special needs, special risks? A comparative oral health study in children and adolescents

Grace Wong 0000-0003-1364-6866, Kyle Cheng, Tanya Kumar, Marija Saponja, Kirrily Wright, Audrey Ng, Sanjana D’Hary, Anna Cheng and Wenpeng You
 

Children with special needs experience unique oral health challenges compared with their mainstream peers. This study reveals critical links between modifiable behaviours, caregiver perceptions and oral health disparities, underscoring the urgent need for early, tailored interventions. By leveraging existing school-based programs, incorporating caregiver insights and fostering interprofessional collaboration, the findings suggest practical and sustainable strategies for enhancing oral health, and reducing disparities among vulnerable children and adolescents.

PY25097 Abstract  |  PY25097 Full Text  | PY25097PDF (829 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 19 September 2025

PY24186Optimising prevention activities in primary care for cancer survivors: a novel socio-technical approach using the Functional Resonance Analysis Method

Sundresan Naicker 0000-0002-2392-4981, David Chua 0000-0001-7813-4816, Elizabeth Halcomb 0000-0001-8099-986X, Ben Harris-Roxas 0000-0003-1716-2009, Mark Harris 0000-0002-0705-8913 and Kylie Vuong 0000-0002-2671-9473
 

There is inconsistent application of prevention activities in primary care. We conducted interviews with 11 general practitioners and four practice nurses (from 12 Australian general practices) to understand the delivery of prevention activities for cancer survivors and to identify ways for optimising disease prevention activities. Three potential activities fundamental to disease prevention for cancer survivors were identified: risk assessment, partnering with the patient and co-planning prevention activities.

PY24186 Abstract  |  PY24186 Full Text  | PY24186PDF (609 KB)  | PY24186Supplementary Material (178 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 18 September 2025

PY24200Multidisciplinary primary care outreach for women experiencing domestic and family violence and/or homelessness: a rapid evidence review

Suzanne Lewis 0000-0002-5250-7415, Zoi Triandafilidis 0000-0001-6187-4703, Mariko Carey 0000-0002-0549-1115, Breanne Hobdon 0000-0002-8489-6152, Colette Hourigan and Shannon Richardson
 

This rapid review identifies outreach programs for women and children affected by domestic and family violence and/or homelessness. It found that most programs were delivered by a nurse-led multidisciplinary team, that the greatest range of services could be offered when the team included a physician, and that few programs were rigorously evaluated. Policy needs to prioritise funding for research to inform the best ways to meet the primary care needs of this vulnerable, largely economically disadvantaged population.

PY24200 Abstract  |  PY24200 Full Text  | PY24200PDF (441 KB)  | PY24200Supplementary Material (367 KB)  | PY24200Supplementary Material (367 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 16 September 2025

PY25070A qualitative evaluation of the Enough Talk, Time for Action male health and wellbeing program: a primary health care engagement strategy designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males

Kootsy Canuto, Celina Gaweda 0000-0002-8865-0125, Corey Kennedy, Douglas Clinch, Bryce Brickley, Oliver Black 0000-0002-1252-4878, Rosie Neate, Karla J. Canuto, Cameron Stokes, Gracie Ah Mat and Kurt Towers
 

Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males’ engagement with Primary Health Care Services (PHCS) can effectively impact health and wellbeing outcomes among this subgroup with the highest burden of disease in Australia. Our study demonstrates how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men were directly engaged, contributing to the planning, delivery, and development of a PHCS engagement strategy. The findings illustrate the benefits of this evaluation approach to improve health equity among this cohort.

PY25070 Abstract  |  PY25070 Full Text  | PY25070PDF (880 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 15 September 2025

PY24190What are the barriers to parents using child and family health nursing services during the first year of their child’s life in NSW?

Kim Dunlop, Michelle Fulton, Vanessa Hamilton and Catherine Llewellyn
 

NSW Health recommends all children from birth to 5 years have free routine health and developmental checks to promote optimal childhood development and help shape future health outcomes. A research project was commenced to identify and ascertain the reasons why some parents disengage with child family health nursing services. Identified barriers included dual services provided by general practitioners and child family health nursing services, existing relationship with health professional, lack of accessibility, convenience and knowledge. Positively, half of the participants reported no barriers.

PY24190 Abstract  | PDF (378 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 02 September 2025

PY25119‘Back to square one’ – experiences influencing topical corticosteroid use in paediatric atopic dermatitis

Christabel Hoe 0009-0000-3203-6794, Yasin Shahab and Phyllis Lau 0000-0002-0665-6348
 

Atopic dermatitis is a frustrating, often lifelong, inflammatory skin condition that requires rigorous treatment with topical steroids. Deviation from traditional routes of management has been explored in this paper. Steroid fear remains a key player in influencing management of atopic dermatitis, with many questioning the efficacy and safety profile of current topical steroid treatment. A holistic and individualised approach in a primary care setting may help positively impact on future atopic dermatitis management.

PY25119 Abstract  |  PY25119 Full Text  | PY25119PDF (379 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 28 August 2025

PY25101Considerations in the development of an mHealth approach to increase cervical screening participation in primary care in Victoria, Australia

Claire Zammit 0000-0002-3199-6715, Maleeha Ashfaq, Lucy Boyd, Caitlin Paton, Joyce Jiang, Julia Brotherton and Claire Nightingale
 

Text messages are now common for health communication between general practices and patients. Text message reminders could promote cervical screening self-collection through general practice. However, some participants representing under-screened populations expressed concerns about accuracy, accessibility and privacy, highlighting the need for clear, tailored communication. GP endorsement in text message reminders may boost cervical screening participation for eligible patients, particularly for those unaware of the self-collection option in the Australian National Cervical Screening Program.

PY25101 Abstract  |  PY25101 Full Text  | PY25101PDF (804 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 26 August 2025

PY25133‘I’m sick of being called insane’: experiences of Australian healthcare support for premenstrual distress

Megan E. Buys 0009-0007-5025-0613
 

Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder are significant health concerns, yet individuals often report inadequate healthcare experiences. This study explored Australian experiences of health care for premenstrual distress, revealing both validating care and widespread instances of reductionist, uninformed, and dismissive responses. These findings emphasise the need for improved clinician education, trauma-informed and person-centred approaches, and a broader range of care options that are responsive to the complexity of premenstrual experiences.

PY25133 Abstract  |  PY25133 Full Text  | PY25133PDF (635 KB)  | PY25133Corrigendum (127 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 25 August 2025

PY25033Impacts of long COVID on disability, function and quality of life for adults living in Australia

Danielle Hitch, Tanita Botha, Fisaha Tesfay, Sara Holton, Catherine M. Said 0000-0002-8773-9750, Martin Hensher, Kieva Richards 0000-0003-0904-2031, Mary Rose Angeles, Catherine M. Bennett, Genevieve Pepin, Bodil Rasmussen and Kelli Nicola-Richmond
 

This study fills a gap in understanding long COVID’s impact on disability, function and quality of life in Australia, where research is scarce despite global studies. Most participants faced significant challenges in participating in daily life and reported lower quality of life than the general population, especially regarding energy and social participation. The findings underscore the urgent need for tailored rehabilitation, and further research to inform health policy and care delivery.

PY25033 Abstract  |  PY25033 Full Text  | PY25033PDF (529 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 21 August 2025

PY25107Assessing the digital health maturity of general practice in Australia: results from a cross-sectional national survey

Tim Blake, Debbie Passey, Joanne Lee and Farwa Rizvi
 

The digital health maturity among general practice clinics in Australia is not well understood. This study reports on a large cross-sectional digital health maturity assessment of 1164 general practice clinics across Australia, representing about one-third of clinics in the country. These findings highlight the importance of enhancing digital health and data literacy, leadership, and tailored change management to strengthen digital adoption in practices, potentially improving care quality and digital transformation nationally.

This article belongs to the collection: Quality Improvement and Evaluation in Primary Health Care.

PY25107 Abstract  |  PY25107 Full Text  | PY25107PDF (822 KB)   Open Access Article

Most Read

The Most Read ranking is based on the number of downloads in the last 60 days from papers published on the CSIRO PUBLISHING website within the last 12 months. Usage statistics are updated daily.

Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Models of Community Health in Action

This collection explores the power and potential of community health care to strengthen health systems and improve population health and wellbeing. Papers in the collection will highlight a variety of models, programs, policies and approaches to community health and examine their past, current and possible future contributions.

Collection in progress

Last Updated: 25 Sep 2025

Quality Improvement and Evaluation in Primary Health Care

This collection of Australian Journal of Primary Health papers contributes to our understanding of innovation in primary health care. The primary health care community is consistently working towards more effective ways of working to make a meaningful difference to patients and our communities. This collection highlights the latest innovations, pilots and measure of success and we welcome the submissions that have come from a diverse range of contributors to high quality primary health care.

Collection in progress

Collection Editors
Liz Sturgiss (Bond University)
Michael Wright (International Centre for Future Health Systems, University of New South Wales)
Brendan Goodger (Primary and Community Care, Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network)

Last Updated: 21 Aug 2025

Australian Journal of Primary Health Top Downloads 2024

The Australian Journal of Primary Health (AJPH) presents the 2024 most downloaded papers from across all issues and special issues. These highly accessed papers reflect the scope of the AJPH to be a leading voice highlighting the key innovations and new knowledge across primary health care (PHC). This list of 20 papers emphasises the PHC communities focus on comprehensive, whole-person care that is responsive to the needs of the community.

Virginia Lewis (La Trobe University)
Liz Sturgiss (Bond University)

Last Updated: 28 Apr 2025

Access to Primary Health Care

This collection of Australian Journal of Primary Health papers focuses on access to care. The papers showcase a variety of topics and illustrate new approaches to working with allied health clinicians, policy change to improve access to oral health and workforce capability, and a theory-informed approach to data analysis. This collection documents current experiences of access to care among different populations and highlights new approaches and models to improve access.

All papers in this collection are published Open Access and free to read.

Collection Editors
Annette Peart (Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University)
Sabuj Kanti Mistry (School of Population Health, University of New South Wales)
Siân Slade (Nossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne)

Last Updated: 13 Aug 2024

Australian Journal of Primary Health Top Downloads 2022/23

This Collection demonstrates the depth and breadth of research in primary health care. The wide ranging topics and the many methods that are needed to rigorously investigate the questions that matter to our communities. These 10 most downloaded papers from 2022 and 2023 demonstrate the broad scope of the AJPH and cover a range of issues influencing community health services and primary health care, particularly focused on comprehensive primary health care research, evidence-based practice and primary health care policy issues.

Virginia Lewis (La Trobe University)
Liz Sturgiss (Monash University)

Last Updated: 22 Mar 2024

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Improving Oral Health

The aim of this Collection is to highlight papers that describe health promoting interdisciplinary and professional team efforts to address various aspects of oral healthcare, including access, vulnerable groups and new models of service delivery. We hope this issue will encourage initiatives and research on the integration of non-dental professionals into oral health and putting the mouth back into the body.

Collection Editors
Dr Bradley Christian and Dr Ron Knevel

Last Updated: 18 Jul 2019

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

This Collection focusses on research papers involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health which have been published in Australian Journal of Primary Health from around the country. We have included research papers which respond to community health priorities, and were authored by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Included papers used a variety of research methods including qualitative, quantitative, geospatial mapping, and systematic review methodology.

Collection Editors
Geoffrey Spurling, Catrina Felton-Busch and Sarah Larkins

Last Updated: 26 Oct 2018

Challenges in China's Health System Reform: Lessons from Other Countries

Over the last three decades, there has been rapid development and modernisation of China’s tertiary hospitals, but the primary care system has been seriously weakened. We provided an overview of the major challenges in China’s health system reform in our recent Editorial (Liu and Legge 2017). This Collection of Australian Journal of Primary Health brings together 12 recent papers with relevance to these challenges.

Collection Editors
Chaojie Liu and David Legge

Last Updated: 11 Sep 2017

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Best Oral Paper Prize AAAPC 2024

Joanne Wong has been awarded the Best Oral Paper Prize for 2024.

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