Moe After Hours Medical Service Project (MAHMS)
This three-year study aimed to identify and explore the factors that are crucial to the successful operation of the after hours medical service located in the rural town of Moe.
The specific objectives of the study were to:
- Identify the factors that make the Moe After Hours Medical Service successful.
- Determine the common attributes that contribute toward the successful operation of after hours medical services in rural towns.
The study drew on CATI surveys of the local population and clients, interviews and surveys of providers, operational and financial data from the Latrobe Community Health Service, and demographic data for the Latrobe Valley.
The major factors that have led the Moe After Hours Medical Service to be successful are its stable management and sense of direction, appropriate staff and resources, and the existence of professional relationships between the managers of the service, local general practitioners and other stakeholders.
In a rural setting, successful after hours medical services have five attributes or 'pillars' on which their models are built. They need to be located in the right place; the process of service delivery must be clear; the providers must be appropriately skilled and motivated; the hours of service need to meet the needs of clients and providers; and the relationships between all stakeholders must be managed in a co-operative and professional manner.
The insights gained in Moe can assist other rural communities considering the establishment of similar services to meet their own after-hours medical needs.
For further information contact:
The School of Rural Health
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