Equity of a government subsidised exercise referral scheme: a population study
Article
Article Title | Equity of a government subsidised exercise referral scheme: a population study |
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ERA Journal ID | 39837 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Craike, Melinda (Author), Wiesner, Glen (Author), Enticott, Joanne (Author), Bennie, Jason A. (Author) and Biddle, Stuart J. H. (Author) |
Journal Title | Social Science and Medicine |
Journal Citation | 216, pp. 20-25 |
Number of Pages | 6 |
Year | 2018 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
ISSN | 0277-9536 |
1873-5347 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.09.023 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953618305136?via%3Dihub |
Abstract | Background: Health inequities could increase if utilisation of physical activity interventions is lower among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. We examined associations between area level socioeconomic disadvantage and utilisation of Australian government-subsidised, general practitioner (GP)-referred, accredited exercise physiologist (AEPs) services. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of Australian Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) data (N=228,771 AEP services) for the 2015–2016 financial year and aggregated publicly available data from several sources. Spearman's correlations examined associations between utilisation of AEP services and arealevel socioeconomic disadvantage, indicated by Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage (IRSD) decile scores. Lower IRSD scores indicate greater levels of socioeconomic disadvantage. Results: Significant correlations between IRSD score and study variables were as follows: Out-of-pocket expenses/service (rs=0.52); number of patients/AEP provider (rs=−0.42); number of patients/1000 population (rs=−0.24); AEP services/1000 population (rs=−0.18); average services/patient (rs=0.24); and AEP provider/1000 population (rs=0.14). Conclusion: Patients living in areas of greater disadvantage utilised government-subsidised, GP-referred AEP services at a higher rate and paid lower out-of-pocket fees than those living in more affluent areas. Thus, AEP services are equitably distributed, from a utilisation perspective, and acceptable to patients living in areas of disadvantage. However, the higher caseloads and lower fees that characterise AEP services in areas of greater disadvantage may result in shorter consultation times. Further research on exercise referral schemes is warranted, particularly whether socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with adherence to exercise sessions and health outcomes. |
Keywords | physical activity; access; health care; referral; exercise physiologist; socioeconomic disadvantage; general practitioner |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 429999. Other health sciences not elsewhere classified |
420799. Sports science and exercise not elsewhere classified | |
Public Notes | File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author. |
Byline Affiliations | Victoria University |
Monash University | |
Institute for Resilient Regions | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q54vx/equity-of-a-government-subsidised-exercise-referral-scheme-a-population-study
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