'I Do Often Feel Like We Were Given a Magic Wand' - Children's and Families' Experiences of Allied Health Services for Developmental and Disability Needs in Rural and/or Remote South Australia.

BACKGROUND

Children in rural and remote areas are increasingly developmentally vulnerable compared to metropolitan peers. Allied health professionals are positioned to provide services to support children with developmental and disability needs but face barriers to delivering services in rural and remote areas. Research has highlighted the need to understand context, for quality care delivery; however, critical gaps remain in understanding assets within our communities.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore parents/carers and children's experiences receiving services for disability and developmental needs in rural and remote South Australia.

DESIGN

Qualitative appreciative inquiry methodology using semi-structured interviews and.

SETTING AND

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were purposefully recruited via snowball sampling through allied health professionals and included parents/carers and children receiving allied health services for developmental and/or disability needs.

RESULTS

Thirteen parents, one carer and eight children participated in interviews. Findings were inductively structured into a socio-ecological framework. Themes included 'the importance of having fun', 'therapy makes us grow', 'my child and therapist are parts of the community', 'consistent, knowledgeable and caring therapists', 'flexible environments and health services' and 'accessing funding models and the healthcare system'.

DISCUSSION: These findings tell us that the value of 'fun' and community within health services should not be overlooked. Parents/carers value therapists' individual qualities, seeing their children grow and being supported to understand the healthcare system.

CONCLUSIONS

Children's and parents/carers perspectives should be centred so communities are positioned to drive sustainable and practical improvements in allied health service delivery.

PATIENT OF PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study sought experiences from parents/carers and children with developmental or disability needs in rural and remote South Australia. The lead author is an allied health professional who has been working with this population. All participants were sent the results for feedback. The findings will inform stakeholders developing models of care for delivering allied health services to this population.