Community-led virtual care shows promise for Indigenous chronic disease management
Anyone who works in health care in rural or remote Australia knows what the challenges look like. Behind every statistic is a person forced to travel hundreds of kilometers for care, a clinician stretched beyond capacity or a community left without the services it needs. These inequities are particularly stark for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies, ensuring the credibility of its content. In rural southwest Queensland, Goondir Health Services, a community-controlled Aboriginal Health Service, is demonstrating the potential of virtual care when tailored to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, local relationships, and continuous care.
The service equips clients with four home monitoring devices, reviews their readings through clinical dashboards, and provides support from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health coaches. A two-study research analysis found that 64% of the 74 adults enrolled in the service used the devices regularly, with higher engagement among those aged 18-65, those managing multiple chronic conditions, and residents of medium rural towns.
The study also revealed that patients with the most complex needs were the most engaged. Health-related quality of life measurements showed the burden of ill health falls within prime working years rather than in old age. The research highlights the importance of community control in the technology, emphasizing that a trusted health coach is crucial in bridging the gap between patients and the devices.
The findings suggest that investment in community-controlled digital health and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce is vital to ensure no community is left behind.
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