Better Access to Medical Imaging in Torres and Cape First Nations Communities

Aim

The aim is to address the gap in health inequity, using technology to deliver culturally informed medical imaging services closer to home.

Benefits

This service has already improved access to healthcare for these communities and enhanced the patient imaging experience of approximately 400 Queenslanders in a little over a year.  This initiative is not only preferred by patients, but a cost analysis identified that there is significantly less expense incurred by the health service and by patients. It also has a measurable positive effect on the environment due to a reduction in carbon emissions.

Background

Patients living and working in the Torres Strait such as in Kowanyama that need a simple 20-minute scan are required you to take two to three days off work, arrange care for their kids, fly to Cairns, get a cab to some accommodation, travel to and from the appointment and then finally back to Kowanyama.  Although the flights and accommodation are covered under the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme, food for those days is not covered and transport for you around Cairns is also not covered.

Evaluation and results

Prior to the service model implementation routine ultrasound utilisation rate across the remote communities was 43 scans per 1000 population. This rate was eight times lower than the Australian Average and clearly displays a measurable health inequality (Medicare Australia - Statistics - Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Group Statistics (humanservices.gov.au).

Following implementation, the utilisation rate exceeds 150 scans per 1000 of the population across those eight communities. It has also significantly decreased the failure to attend rates.

In 2021, prior to the service model implementation the HHS spent $439, 000 on patient travel on routine ultrasound imaging. Comparatively, under the new service model the cost is $220,000 per annum (indicative).  Also, there is now no cost incurred to the patient.