Feasibility of linking universal child and family healthcare and financial counselling: findings from the Australian Healthier Wealthier Families (HWF) mixed-methods study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

'Healthier Wealthier Families' (HWF) seeks to reduce financial hardship in the early years by embedding a referral pathway between Australia's universal child and family health (CFH) services and financial counselling. This pilot study investigated the feasibility and short-term impacts of HWF, adapted from a successful Scottish initiative.

Methods

Setting: CFH services in five sites across two states, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants

Caregivers of children aged 0-5 years experiencing financial hardship (study-designed screen).

Design

Mixed methods. With limited progress using a randomised trial (RCT) design in sites 1-3 (March 2020-November 2021), qualitative interviews with service providers identified implementation barriers inc

SUBMITTER: Price AMH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10668198 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature