Rural Eye Care Access, Workforce Challenges and Opportunities: Perspectives of the Eye Health Workforce in Western Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Rural residents face numerous barriers to accessing eye care services that contribute to disparities in eye health outcomes. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of the rural workforce on opportunities to improve patient access to eye care services, as well as understand the ways the workforce can be supported.

Setting

Regional, rural and remote Western Australia.

Design

A qualitative descriptive approach was taken. Maximum variation and snowball sampling were used, and semi-structured interviews were conducted until data saturation. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Participants

Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted with six ophthalmologists, 10 optometrists and one no

SUBMITTER: Chen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11780685 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature