Pregnancy-related aeromedical retrievals in rural and remote Australia: national evidence from the Royal Flying Doctor Service

Barriers and facilitators to women's access to sexual and reproductive health services in rural Australia: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in rural Australia presents complex challenges that negatively impact women's health and exacerbate health inequities across the life course. This systematic review synthesises evidence on the barriers and facilitators to women's access to SRH services in rural Australia, considering both supply and demand dimensions.

METHODS

We systematically searched peer-reviewed literature published between 2013 and 2023. Search terms were derived from three major topics: (1) women living in rural Australia; (2) spatial or aspatial access to SRH services; and (3) barriers or facilitators. We adopted the "best fit" approach to framework synthesis using the patient-centred access to healthcare model.

RESULTS

Database searches retrieved 1,024 unique records, with 50 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Most studies analysed access to primary care services (n = 29; 58%), followed by hospital services (n = 14; 28%), health promotion and prevention (n = 5; 10%), and specialist care (n = 2; 4%). The type of care accessed was mostly maternity care (n = 21; 42%), followed by abortion services (n = 11; 22%), screening and testing (n = 8; 16%), other women's health services (n = 6; 12%), and family planning (n = 4; 8%). There were numerous barriers and facilitators in access from supply and demand dimensions. Supply barriers included fragmented healthcare pathways, negative provider attitudes, limited availability of services and providers, and high costs. Demand barriers encompassed limited awareness, travel challenges, and financial burdens. Supply facilitators included health system improvements, inclusive practices, enhanced local services, and patient-centred care. Demand facilitators involved knowledge and awareness, care preferences, and telehealth accessibility.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to address SRH service access disparities in rural Australia. Understanding the barriers and facilitators women face in accessing SRH services within the rural context is necessary to develop comprehensive healthcare policies and interventions informed by a nuanced understanding of rural women's diverse needs.

Air Medical Retrieval of Central Australian Women in Labor: A Retrospective Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of remote-dwelling pregnant women with threatened labor referred for air medical retrieval to a regional birthing center as well as factors associated with birth within 48 hours.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study of all pregnant women in the remote Central Australian region referred to the Medical Retrieval Consultation and Coordination Centre for labor > 23 weeks' gestation between February 12, 2018, and February 12, 2020. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed.

RESULTS

There were 116 women referred for retrieval for labor. There were no births during transport, and less than half of the cases resulted in birth within 48 hours of retrieval. Tocolysis was frequently used. Predictors of birth within 48 hours were cervical dilatation ≥ 5 cm, preterm gestational age, and ruptured membranes in the univariate analysis. Nearly one third of this cohort required intervention or had complications during birth.

CONCLUSION

Birth during transport for threatened labor did not occur in this cohort, and more than half of the retrievals did not result in birth within 48 hours; however, the high risk of birth complications may offset any benefit of avoiding air medical transport from remote regions. Retrieval clinicians should consider urgent transfer in cases of ruptured membranes, cervical dilatation of 5 cm or more, or gestational age less than 37 weeks.

Integrative Review of Non-Technical Skills Frameworks to Apply for Air Medical Transfer of Pregnant Women

OBJECTIVE

To identify the most suitable non-technical skills framework to adapt and apply to the air medical transfer of pregnant women.

DATA SOURCES

Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, Science Direct, and Google Scholar.

STUDY SELECTION

We retrieved potentially relevant articles using a predefined combination of keywords extended with truncation and Boolean operators. Database and manual reference searches yielded 569 peer-reviewed articles. We included articles if they presented empirical data and described non-technical or cognitive competency skills frameworks for health care professionals. We discussed any ambiguities regarding inclusion, and they were resolved by consensus. We retained 71 full-text articles for final review.

DATA EXTRACTION

We coded extracted data under four criteria: non-technical skill categories, context of use, psychometric properties, and rating system. We generated descriptive summary tables of the characteristics of existing non-technical skills frameworks based on publication year, method of development, clinical setting, clinical specialty, routine/crisis-based performance, and team/individual performance.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We identified 42 non-technical skills frameworks from a variety of health care settings. We critically examined context of use and how use in various clinical settings may align with air transfers of pregnant women. Our findings illustrate the importance of team-based and routine performance rather than crisis-focused skills. Maintaining situational awareness throughout all stages of the transfer and communicating effectively with team members, the pregnant woman, and her partner are skills that are particularly important to ensure good outcomes.

CONCLUSION

We selected the Global Assessment of Obstetric Team Performance as the most suitable non-technical skills framework to adapt to the clinical setting of air medical transfer of pregnant women. We considered the clinical specialty, specific non-technical skills required in the setting, the framework's properties, and the requirement to focus on routine team performance.