Providing rehabilitation services to major traumatic injury survivors in rural Australia: perspectives of rehabilitation practitioners and compensation claims managers

PurposeThe delivery of healthcare services in rural locations can be challenging. From the perspectives of rural rehabilitation practitioners and compensation claims managers, this study explored the experience of providing and coordinating rehabilitation services for rural major traumatic injury survivors.Materials and MethodsSemi-structured interviews with 14 rural rehabilitation practitioners and 10 compensation claims managers were transcribed, and reflexive thematic analysis was conducted.ResultsSix themes were identified (1) Challenges finding and connecting with rural services, (2) Factors relating to insurance claims management, (3) Managing the demand for services, (4) Good working relationships, (5) Limited training and support, and (6) Client resilience and community. System-related barriers included a lack of available search resources to find rural rehabilitation services, limited service/clinician availability and funding policies lacking the flexibility to meet rehabilitation needs in a rural context. Strong peer and interdisciplinary relationships were viewed as crucial facilitators, which rural practitioners were particularly adept at developing.ConclusionsGreater consideration of unique needs within rural contexts is required when developing service delivery models. Specifically, flexible and equitable funding policies; facilitating interdisciplinary connections, support and training for rehabilitation practitioners and compensation claims managers; and harnessing clients' resilience may improve the delivery of rural services.