Serious Injury in Metropolitan and Regional Victoria: Exploring Travel to Treatment and Utilisation of Post-Discharge Health Services by Injury Type

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022 · DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114063 · Published: October 28, 2022

Trauma Public Health

Simple Explanation

This study examines how people with serious injuries (orthopedic, brain, or spinal cord) in Victoria, Australia use healthcare services after leaving the hospital. It looks at whether they live in a city or a regional area and how far they have to travel to get the care they need. The study found that people in regional areas often use fewer services but have to travel farther to get them. However, they are more likely to see a general practitioner (GP) than people in cities. Understanding these differences can help make sure everyone, no matter where they live, has access to the healthcare they need after a serious injury.

Study Duration

2006-2016 (10 years)

Participants

1597 people with transport-related orthopaedic, brain, or spinal cord injuries

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
People with orthopaedic injuries and TBI in regional areas had greater odds of seeing a GP compared with their metropolitan counterparts.
2
People living in regional areas with TBI travelled signiﬁcantly further to all health services than those in metropolitan areas.
3
For most services and injury types, people in regional areas used fewer services but travelled further to access them than people in metropolitan areas.

Research Summary

This study compared health service usage and distances travelled by people with transport-related orthopaedic, brain and spinal cord injuries across regional and metropolitan Victoria in the ﬁrst three years following hospital discharge. For most services and injury types, people in regional areas used fewer services but travelled further to access them than people in metropolitan areas. This research has identiﬁed disparities in service use and distances travelled to health services across metropolitan and regional Victoria following serious injury.

Practical Implications

Telehealth Expansion

Increase specialized telehealth services, especially for TBI patients in regional areas, to reduce travel burden.

Regional GP Support

Ensure regional GPs have adequate knowledge of injury complications and access to specialist networks for timely and effective management.

Policy Considerations

Policymakers should consider the extra distances travelled by regional residents and possible travel burden when planning healthcare pathways.

Study Limitations

1
The study assumed individuals attended the closest service provider location.
2
The study only included centre-based services, potentially underrepresenting community or home-based services.
3
It was assumed that participants all travelled by car to attend services.

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