The emerging needs of persons living with haemophilia and HIV/AIDS in British Columbia

Partnerships in specialty care: exploring rural haemophilia provider resource needs

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether rural providers have adequate preparation for safe and effective haemophilia care.

DESIGN

This qualitative study proceeded in two phases: focus group (phase I) and telephone (phase II) interviews.

SETTING

Five Canadian rural hospitals served by one urban haemophilia treatment centre and providing service to at least one haemophilia family.

PARTICIPANTS

Phase I: focus groups of rural health professionals (site 1: n = 5; site 2: n = 6), including nursing, medicine and lab technology. Phase II: telephone interviews with nine participants from nursing, medicine, lab technology, social work and physiotherapy across three sites.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Qualitative content analysis yielded categorical themes for specialty care resource requirements in a rural context.

RESULTS

Resource needs reflected five main categories: communication network, subjective knowledge, team roles, objective knowledge and partnerships (C-STOP).

CONCLUSIONS

The five C-STOP categories require resources and alignment of urban specialist, rural provider and family expertise. Specialty clinic efforts promoting self-care are incomplete without matched resources for rural providers.