Journal Article

Equity of access in rural and metropolitan dementia diagnosis, management, and care experiences: an exploratory qualitative study

Loi, Samantha M., Woodward, Michael, Yates, Mark, Macklin, Heather, Ayton, Scott, Ayton, Darshini, Carmody, Sarah, Gulline, Hannah, Brodtmann, Amy, Glennen, Karen, Bevins, Amelia, Lim, Yen Ying

2025

Overview

Background The limited allocation of resources to rural and regional communities is a major contributor to healthcare inequities in Australia. Distribution of health service resources between metropolitan and rural communities commonly sees highly populated areas prioritised over more sparsely populated and geographically vast areas. As such, challenges impacting dementia diagnosis, management, and care in metropolitan areas are experienced more acutely in rural areas. This study aimed to examine equity of access to dementia diagnosis, management, and care services amongst people who experienced the process of dementia diagnosis as a patient or significant other (partner/spouse, adult children, siblings, and friends) throughout rural and metropolitan Australia. Methods This exploratory qualitative study consisted of thirty-three online semi-structured interviews with thirty-seven people with experience of the dementia diagnosis process as a patient and/or significant other. Interviews explored symptoms of dementia, health professionals consulted, tests conducted, and challenges faced throughout the diagnosis and post-diagnosis process. Rurality was defined by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard Remoteness Areas (ASGS-RA) and the Modified Monash Model (MMM). Thematic analysis was conducted, with Russell’s (2013) Dimensions of Access framework (geography, affordability, availability, acceptability, accommodation, awareness, and timeliness) guiding data analysis. Results Participants were distributed across various regions of Australia: seven interviews from inner regional Australia, five interviews from outer regional Australia, and twenty-one interviews from metropolitan areas. Disparities in access between metropolitan and rural areas emerged in five key dimensions: 1) geography impeding ability to access services; 2) affordability of travel expenses; 3) availability of healthcare and support services; 4) acceptability of available health professionals and services; and 5) awareness of local services and resources. The dimensions of accommodation and timeliness of care were experienced as challenges irrespective of location, with lengthy appointment wait times and difficulty navigating complex systems. However, rurality often compounded the challenges in dementia diagnosis, management, and care. Conclusions Significant health inequities persist between rural and metropolitan communities that must be prioritised in endeavours to promote equitable dementia diagnosis, management, and care. Targeted action to address disparities is vital to mitigate the impact of rurality, particularly as clinical practice evolves with research advancements.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Acceptability / Access / Accommodation / Adult / Adult children / Aged / Aged, 80 and over / Analysis / Australia / Availability / Care and treatment / Complex systems / Data analysis / Data collection / Dementia / Dementia - diagnosis / Dementia - therapy / Dementia disorders / Diagnosis / Equality and Human Rights / Female / Geography / Health aspects / Health care / Health care disparities / Health disparities / Health equity / Health Policy / Health Promotion and Disease Prevention / Health services / Health Services Accessibility - standards / Health Services Accessibility - statistics & numerical data / Health Services Research / Healthcare Disparities / High-Income Countries / Humans / Inequalities in Dementia: Insights from Lower / Infrastructure / Interviews / Interviews as Topic / Male / Management / Medical personnel / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Metropolitan areas / Middle / Middle Aged / Patient satisfaction / Patients / Primary care / Public Health / Qualitative Research / Resource allocation / Rural areas / Rural communities / Rural Population - statistics & numerical data / Rurality / Social Justice / Social Policy / Socioeconomic factors / Sparsely populated areas / Support services / Urban Population - statistics & numerical data / Workforce