The tyranny of distance - mapping accessibility to polysomnography services across Australia

Title
The tyranny of distance - mapping accessibility to polysomnography services across Australia
Publication Date
2015
Author(s)
Woods, Cindy
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5790-069X
Email: cwood30@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:cwood30
Usher, Kim
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9686-5003
Email: kusher@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:kusher
Edwards, A
Jersmann, H
Maguire, G
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Australian Indigenous Health Info Net
Place of publication
Australia
UNE publication id
une:19197
Abstract
Objective: To identify service gaps by mapping accessibility to diagnostic sleep studies across Australia using a Geographic Information System (GIS). Methods: Census-level data stratified by statistical areas were mapped to measure accessibility to polysomnography (PSG) based on geographical location of patients. All adult publicly funded home and laboratory-based PSG performed in Australia in 2012 were mapped to statistical areas based on patient address at the time of the sleep study. Results: Sleep health care is extremely under-resourced in central and northern Australia. For those living in areas classified as remote and very remote, geographical distance appears to be a barrier to the accessibility of specialist sleep services. Conclusions: Remote and very remote communities continue to experience inequity in health care in general and in accessibility to specialist services in particular. Attention needs to be given to barriers which may limit equitable accessibility. Implications: Residing in remote communities with limited or no public transport options is likely to have a particularly significantly impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' ability to access PSG.
Link
Citation
Australian Indigenous Health Bulletin, 15(3), p. 1-9
ISSN
1445-7253
Start page
1
End page
9

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