Volume eight, Issue 4

Many nations are now culturally and ethnically diverse and this extends to their health workforce. However, in Australia relatively few overseas-born, Australian-trained health professionals take up rural or remote positions. This small qualitative study on Vietnamese-born, Australian-trained health professionals practising in rural Australia raises questions about their acculturation process, with direct implications for recruitment and retention.

The paradigm for 21st century health care is health professionals working together in a team. Best care means patient access to psychologists, dietitians, speech pathologists, physiotherapist, radiographers and others, yet little is known about the allied health workforce in rural Australia. This exciting report foreshadows a national study that will define the Australian rural allied health workforce to inform workforce planning.

What motivates diagnosis self-disclosure when stigmatization and discriminatory treatment are likely to follow? This small study from rural Southern Africa examines the disclosure experiences of those suffering from tuberculosis in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Chronic diseases are on the rise and many are being managed by a complex combination of medications which can be incomprehensible for patients. Good communication is essential and for Australian Aboriginal people, Aboriginal health workers are the most appropriate source of information. This trial of an education program shows how pharmacists and Aboriginal health workers can have two-way learning to improve the information available to patients.

While there have been many studies on some of the proximal causes of poor vision in rural areas, such as trachoma or diabetes, there have been relative little attention paid to other factors. This review assesses the evidence for differences in prevalence of poor vision, access to services and demographic, occupational and environmental which provide the context for understanding the challenges posed by rurality.

Land mine injuries can be catastrophic and generally occur in rural and remote areas. In Iran, a short training in trauma care for rural health workers has improved care for these trauma victims. Read how they went about it.

Is community based, interdisciplinary learning feasible or useful for undergraduate radiographers? This study from East Africa's oldest teaching institution is thought provoking.

There are few studies that examine rural nurses' job satisfaction. This US based study highlights which community and personal factors are linked to rural nurses' job satisfaction.

The cost of food has been skyrocketing across the globe, affecting food security and the capacity to have a nutritious diet. This study of food stores in large and medium sized rural towns in Victoria, Australia uses a new tool to identify population groups who may be vulnerable as a result of high food costs.

Advanced abdominal pregnancy can present special challenges for physicians in remote areas. This case report and review of the literature may help avoid potentially catastrophic complications for mother and baby.

Practical approaches, public health, health access improvements, and Rural Health Roundtables belong together. The authors describe a common sense approach within and between rural communities that can address a variety of routine, emergent, and future rural health topics.

The traditional Mediterranean diet has been linked to lower rates of cancer and coronary artery disease. Is the diet being maintained by Greek children? Read this article to find out...

The inverse care law suggests that the most needy get the least resource. This Scottish study provides evidence that cancer mortality in rural and remote patients is compounded by an increased travel burden.

A doctor is often needed after hours in a rural community. This article from New Zealand demonstrates that collaboration may provide a sustainable solution.

The health of women impacts on the health of the family and society, and this is certainly so in Ghana, where rural women are among the most disadvantaged. This commentary outlines some multi-sectorial strategies to improve the health of Ghanaian women.

How does an entire country work towards increasing the rural content in medical school curricula? This article describes what happened recently in Vietnam.

Rural nursing work involves knowing one's community which leads to increased commitment to local residents and helps ensure quality maternity care is provided.

Are rural patients disadvantaged in their post-acute coronary syndrome management? This small survey from the Riverland in South Australia is thought-provoking.

Difficult airway management in rural areas can be terrifying for rural practitioners. This Australian article from Queensland suggests a way forward in managing this rural emergency.

Economic analysis is a powerful tool to arguing for better health. These Central Australia authors demonstrate how using economic concepts can demonstrate the powerful benefits of addressing environmental health to improve population health.