The new Rural Health Consumer Panel will assist researchers from the VVMCRHR in gaining deeper understanding of the health issues affecting rural and regional Australians, and panel members will help develop solutions for health and wellbeing challenges.
The research is being led by Associate Professor Evelien Spelten, and is open to a broad range of participants.
‘We know the health of people living in rural and regional areas is poorer compared with people living in major cities, with higher rates of hospital admissions and a higher burden of chronic disease,’ Dr. Spelten says. ‘This panel will help inform innovative ways to deliver rural health services.’
Who can sign up?
You can be a part of the panel if you:
- live in rural or regional Australia
- are aged 18 years or over
- have had interactions with health care providers
- can read and write English well enough to complete a survey
Why should I get involved?
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a better understanding of the unique health and wellbeing challenges of people living in rural and regional areas.
Participating in the panel will ensure regional and rural people are proactively and systematically involved in health care research of relevance to you and your local community.
It is hoped that consumer-driven approaches to health care will drive innovation in health service design and delivery to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in rural areas.
What will I do as a panel member?
Panel members will complete a survey twice per year relating to a variety of health and wellbeing topics.
You will have the option to volunteer to participate in a range of activities within the La Trobe Rural Health School if you choose to. This may include the co-design of research projects and participation in teaching and learning activities for our rural health care students.
How do I sign up to join the panel?
- To join the panel, you can register here
- For further information visit the registration page
- For questions or queries, email ruralpanel@latrobe.edu.au
Media contact: Associate Professor Evelien Spelten e.spelten@latrobe.edu.au
