Health for all? Patterns and predictors of allied health service use in Australia
Author(s)
Foster, Michele
O'Flaherty, Martin
Haynes, Michele
Mitchell, Geoffrey
Haines, T. P.
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2013
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Objective. To examine patterns and predictors of allied health service use among the Australian population.
Methods. Data from the 2007–08 longitudinal National Health Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics
in Australia were used to examine differences in use of allied health services among the population. The survey is based on
15 779 adult respondents. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to model the probability of visiting an allied
health service contingent on multiple factors of interest.
Results. Men, less educated people and people from non-English speaking backgrounds were low users ...
View more >Objective. To examine patterns and predictors of allied health service use among the Australian population. Methods. Data from the 2007–08 longitudinal National Health Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in Australia were used to examine differences in use of allied health services among the population. The survey is based on 15 779 adult respondents. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to model the probability of visiting an allied health service contingent on multiple factors of interest. Results. Men, less educated people and people from non-English speaking backgrounds were low users compared with other groups. Interestingly, people with type 2 diabetes were substantially higher users compared with people with other chronic diseases, or no reported chronic disease, and ancillary health insurance had a strong positive effect on use. Discussion. Further investigation of the social and economic circumstances surrounding allied health service use is required to determine areas of under use or unmet need. High use among people with diabetes might indicate the impact of policyincentivesto enhance use. Yet, whether all thosein need are ableto access servicesis unknown. Furtherinvestigation of use among groups with different health needs and by type of financing will enhance policy.
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View more >Objective. To examine patterns and predictors of allied health service use among the Australian population. Methods. Data from the 2007–08 longitudinal National Health Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in Australia were used to examine differences in use of allied health services among the population. The survey is based on 15 779 adult respondents. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to model the probability of visiting an allied health service contingent on multiple factors of interest. Results. Men, less educated people and people from non-English speaking backgrounds were low users compared with other groups. Interestingly, people with type 2 diabetes were substantially higher users compared with people with other chronic diseases, or no reported chronic disease, and ancillary health insurance had a strong positive effect on use. Discussion. Further investigation of the social and economic circumstances surrounding allied health service use is required to determine areas of under use or unmet need. High use among people with diabetes might indicate the impact of policyincentivesto enhance use. Yet, whether all thosein need are ableto access servicesis unknown. Furtherinvestigation of use among groups with different health needs and by type of financing will enhance policy.
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Journal Title
Australian Health Review
Volume
37
Issue
3
Subject
Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified