
TY  - JOUR
A1  - J Watson, Robert 
A1  - McDonald, John 
T1  - A rural perspective of telephone counselling and referral
JF  - Australian Journal of Primary Health
JO  - Aust. J. Prim. Health
Y1  - 2004
VL  - 10
IS  - 2
SP  - 97
EP  - 103
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/PY04032 
N2  - A telephone survey was used to examine rural residents? (n=102) perceptions and knowledge of a well-established national telephone counselling and referral service - Lifeline. Residents in rural Australia experience generally poorer access and availability to health-related services than their metropolitan counterparts. They may also have problems with confidentiality and stigmatisation in using what services are available in their area. Although this was a noncomparative study, it was reasoned that these barriers to help-seeking in rural areas would mean their population would know and value a service such as Lifeline, which provides equitable and anonymous support and referrals to all Australians. The results showed that the service was known, valued, and supported strongly by the respondents. The findings supported the belief that telephone counselling and referral has an important and unique place in rural health support and referral. 
ER  -

