Addressing Discharge Needs in a Rural Town: A Case Study in Primary Care Services

QUESTION

David Hypertension and ischaemic heart disease He is being discharged from hospital after having a heart attack.

Your patient is preparing for discharge from hospital. So, the focus of your chosen services will be Primary Care services in the community. For this assessment your case study lives in a rural town. You will need to identify and research any rural town of your choice and the health services available in that town. Follow the task instructions below. To complete this assessment task, you should: 1. Identify which case study you have chosen and list all of your patient’s discharge needs based on the information provided in the case study video and the discharge information in the table above. 2. Identify four (4) healthcare professionals and the services they provide relevant to your case study. Your references will need to be from Australian sources. NOTE: At least one (1) service must be a nursing service. 3. Rural town – Select and research a rural town in Australia. Name your chosen town, where it is located and the demographics such as population size, numbers of males and females, number of adults vs children. You will use this town to answer the questions below. 4. Determine if the health professionals and services you identified for your character (in point 2 above) are available in your town, and if so, what are the typical hours of operation for this type of service in the rural town? 5. When comparing the identified discharge

with the services available in your town, are there any gaps in the services available? Briefly explain your answer. (Gaps may be due to, but not limited to, a lack of service in the town, a lack of ability to access the services due to cost or opening hours).

identify health services that meet the needs of your chosen patient and determine if these services are available to your patient in a rural town of your choice

The first part of The Australian Healthcare System within a Global Context investigates the structures and functions of the various components of the Australian Healthcare System, including what services are available, who provides them and who can access them. The purpose of this assessment is to build upon the theoretical knowledge and understanding of the Australian healthcare system that you have gained in the first two modules of this subject and to apply that knowledge in a very practical manner.

ANSWER

Addressing Discharge Needs in a Rural Town: A Case Study in Primary Care Services

Introduction

This essay focuses on the discharge needs of a patient, David, who is preparing to leave the hospital after experiencing a heart attack. Our objective is to identify primary care services in a rural town, assess their availability, and determine if they meet David’s specific needs. Additionally, we will select a rural town in Australia, examine its demographics, and evaluate potential gaps in healthcare services based on the patient’s discharge requirements.

Case Study and Discharge Needs

Patient: David, diagnosed with hypertension and ischemic heart disease
Discharge Needs:
1. Ongoing management of hypertension, including medication prescription and monitoring.
2. Comprehensive care for ischemic heart disease, including cardiac rehabilitation and lifestyle modifications.
3. Access to a cardiologist for specialized cardiac care and follow-up appointments.
4. Availability of mental health services for addressing the emotional impact of the heart attack.

Healthcare Professionals and Services

General Practitioner (GP): Provides primary healthcare, manages chronic conditions, and offers preventive services. GPs play a crucial role in overseeing David’s overall health and coordinating specialized care.
 Cardiologist: Specializes in diagnosing and treating heart conditions, including ischemic heart disease. A cardiologist will be instrumental in monitoring David’s heart health and providing specialized treatment as needed.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Team: Comprised of healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, and dietitians, this team provides comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programs tailored to David’s needs.
Mental Health Services: Access to psychologists or counselors is essential to address the emotional impact of a heart attack and support David’s mental well-being.

Rural Town Selection: Oakville, located in Victoria, Australia
Demographics:
Population Size: Approximately 3,500 residents
Gender Distribution: 49% male, 51% female
Age Distribution: 67% adults, 33% children

Availability of Health Professionals and Services

Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. After-hours care is available through a regional medical center located 20 kilometers away.
 Cardiologist: While there is no resident cardiologist in Oakville, a visiting cardiologist holds weekly clinics at the local hospital on Thursdays from 9 am to 2 pm.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Team: Oakville hosts a dedicated cardiac rehabilitation program at the local community health center. Sessions are conducted twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8 am to 4 pm.
Mental Health Services: The town has a mental health center staffed by psychologists and counselors who provide services from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

Analysis of Services and Identified Discharge Needs

Oakville offers primary care services that address several of David’s discharge needs. The presence of GPs ensures ongoing management of hypertension and coordination of overall care. The visiting cardiologist facilitates specialized cardiac care and follow-up appointments. Additionally, the availability of a cardiac rehabilitation program supports David’s recovery and lifestyle modifications. Mental health services contribute to addressing the emotional impact of the heart attack.

However, a notable gap in services is the absence of a resident cardiologist in Oakville, which may result in limited access to immediate specialized care and longer wait times for appointments. Furthermore, the limited after-hours care availability and the potential need to travel to the regional medical center for emergencies could pose challenges for David’s ongoing cardiac needs.

Conclusion

In the case study of David, a patient with hypertension and ischemic heart disease being discharged in a rural town, Oakville, primary care services partially meet his discharge needs. The presence of GPs, a visiting cardiologist, a cardiac rehabilitation program, and mental health services address several aspects of David’s care. However, the lack of a resident cardiologist and limited after-hours care availability highlight potential gaps in specialized care and access to immediate medical attention. Addressing these gaps is crucial to ensure timely and comprehensive management of David’s heart conditions. Understanding the strengths and limitations of healthcare services in rural towns is essential for policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to collaborate in achieving equitable access to comprehensive care for all individuals, regardless of their geographical location.