Register      Login
Australian Journal of Primary Health Australian Journal of Primary Health Society
The issues influencing community health services and primary health care
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Establishing a clinic for young people in a rural setting: a community initiative to meet the needs of rural adolescents

Kaye Ervin A D , Jacqueline Phillips B and Jane Tomnay C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Rural Health Academic Network, University of Melbourne, 49 Graham Street, Shepparton, Vic. 3644, Australia.

B Numurkah District Health Service, 2 Katamatite-Nathalia Road, Numurkah, Vic. 3636, Australia.

C Centre for Excellence for Rural Sexual Health, University of Melbourne, 49 Graham Street, Shepparton, Vic. 3630, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: ervink@humehealth.org.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 20(2) 128-133 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY12157
Submitted: 26 November 2012  Accepted: 14 July 2013   Published: 6 August 2013

Abstract

This paper describes the establishment and evaluation of a rural clinic for young people. A conceptual approach to community development was used to establish the clinic in a small north Victorian rural health service, with qualitative methods used to evaluate services. Study participants were members of an operational committee and advisory committee for the establishment of the rural clinic for young people. The clinic was evaluated against the World Health Organization framework for the development of youth-friendly services. With robust community support, the clinic was established and is operational. Most consultations have been for sexual and mental health. Qualitative evaluation identifies that not all the World Health Organization benchmarks have been met, but this is hampered predominantly by financial constraints. In conclusion, establishing clinic for young people in a small rural setting can be achieved with community support and the development of referral pathways.

Additional keywords: health service, community development.


References

Aisbett DL, Boyd CP, Francis KJ, Newnham K, Newnham K (2007) Understanding barriers to mental health service utilization for adolescents in rural Australia. Rural and Remote Health 7, 624

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011) ‘Census of population and housing 2011.’ Available at http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/ [Verified January 2013].

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2010) ‘Australia’s health 2010.’ Catalogue no. AUS 122. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Canberra)

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2011) ‘Young Australians. Their health and wellbeing, 2011.’ Catalogue no. PHE 140. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Canberra)

Billings JR, Cowley S (1995) Approaches to community needs assessment: a literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing 22, 721–730.
Approaches to community needs assessment: a literature review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK287htFegtw%3D%3D&md5=f436bedf005fb38205408746f49b5e50CAS | 8708192PubMed |

Booth ML, Bernard D, Quine S, Kang MS, Usherwood T, Alperstein G, Bennett DL (2004) Access to health care among Australian adolescents: young people’s perspective and their socio-demographic distribution. The Journal of Adolescent Health 34, 97–103.

Boyd CP, Aisbett DL, Francis K, Kelly M, Newnham K, Newnham K (2006) Issues in rural adolescent mental health in Australia. Rural and Remote Health 6, 501

Eckersley R (2008) ‘Never better–or getting worse? The health and wellbeing of young Australians.’ (Australia 21 Ltd: Canberra)

Elliott BA, Larson J (2004) Adolescents in mid-sized and rural communities: foregone care, perceived barriers, and risk factors. The Journal of Adolescent Health 35, 303–309.

Hodges CA, O’Brien MS, McGorry PD (2007) Headspace: National Youth Mental Health Foundation: making headway with rural young people and their mental health. The Australian Journal of Rural Health 15, 77–80.
Headspace: National Youth Mental Health Foundation: making headway with rural young people and their mental health.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17441814PubMed |

Jeffery V, Ervin K (2011) Responding to rural health needs through community participation: adressing the concerns of children and young adults. Australian Journal of Primary Health 17, 125–130.
Responding to rural health needs through community participation: adressing the concerns of children and young adults.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21645466PubMed |

Kleinert S (2007) Adolescent health: an opportunity not to be missed. Lancet 369, 1057–1058.
Adolescent health: an opportunity not to be missed.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17398287PubMed |

Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria (2004) ‘Consent for treatment and confidentiality in young people: protecting patients, guiding doctors. Melbourne.’ (Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria: Melbourne)

Quine S, Bernard D, Booth M, Kang M, Usherwood T, Alperstein G, Bennett D (2003) Health and access issues among Australian adolescents: a rural–urban comparison. Rural and Remote Health 3, 245

Sanci LA, Sawyer SM, Kang MS, Haller DM, Patton GC (2005) Confidential health care for adolescents: reconciling clinical evidence with family values. The Medical Journal of Australia 183, 410–414.

Shoveller J (2007) ‘Profiles of youth STI testing clinics: study sites in Fort St. John, Vancouver, Richmond, Quesnel and Prince George.’ (Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia: Vancouver)

Tylee A, Haller DM, Graham T, Churchill R, Sanci LA (2007) Youth-friendly primary-care services: how are we doing and what more needs to be done. Lancet 369, 1565–1573.
Youth-friendly primary-care services: how are we doing and what more needs to be done.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17482988PubMed |

World Health Organization (2001) ‘Global consultation on adolescent health services a consensus statement.’ (Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development, World Health Organization: Geneva)