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Background All Nepalese citizens have the right to high-quality healthcare services free of charge. To achieve this, healthcare services for the rural population in Nepal need to be improved in terms of personnel, medicines, and medical equipment. Objectives To explore challenges and possible improvements healthcare personnel experience when travelling to rural parts of Nepal to provide healthcare. Method Data was collected from various health professionals using focus group discussions at Dhulikhel Hospital in Nepal. The data were transcribed and analysed using Systematic text condensation. Results Twenty-two professional healthcare personnel participated in five group discussions. Four categories emerged from the collected material: Finding ORC services being underutilised, Wanting to fulfil tasks and do a good job, Facing inadequate resources, and Seeing the need for improved organisation and cooperation. There was consensus that rural clinics are important to maintaining health for the rural population of Nepal. However, there was frustration that the rural population was not benefitting from all available healthcare services due to underutilisation. Conclusion Rural healthcare clinics are not utilised appropriately, according to healthcare workers at the rural outreach clinics. Potential ways of overcoming the perceived challenges of underutilising available healthcare services include financial and human resources. The rural population´s health awareness needs to be increased, and the work environment for rural healthcare workers needs to be improved. These issues need to be prioritised by the government and policymakers.

Rationale: Head and neck surgery services are increasingly being centralised in Australia. Outreach models can overcome burdens of travel that patients in regional and rural areas experience when attending routine appointments, by providing services closer to home. Aim: To explore patient‐reported experiences and satisfaction with regional outreach services for head and neck surgery in Australia. Methods: Patients who attended two regional outreach clinics in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, were surveyed over a 6‐month period. Patients completed the Outpatient Cancer Clinics Survey (2020 version) that explored perceptions and experiences of the clinic. Patients with cancer were asked to complete the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System and the Communication and Attitudinal Self‐Efficacy scale. Descriptive statistics and analysis of data was performed, and results were compared to the NSW statewide Outpatient Cancer Clinics Survey (2020). Content analysis of free text responses was performed. Results: Some 128 patients responded (56% response rate; mean age 67.2 years, 46.1% female). Compared to the 2020 NSW survey, a higher proportion of patients in our cohort responded positively to 14 of the 26 questions, with the greatest differences observed for questions regarding waiting area comfort (+12.1%, p = 0.008), being informed about different treatment options (+9.5%, p = 0.04), and issues relating to parking (+9.5%, p = 0.03). A lower proportion of our sample responded positively to the question about whether health professionals knew enough about their medical history (−19.3%, p < 0.001). Respondents appreciated having a local clinic that helped them avoid travel to major cities and associated expenses and highlighted benefits of expert consultation and timeliness of investigations. However, cost of appointments and level of reimbursements remain barriers for some patients. Conclusions: Patients had a high level of satisfaction with regional outreach clinics for head and neck surgery across most domains, indicating patients highly value this service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First Nation people residing in rural and remote communities have limited primary healthcare access, which often affects chronic disease management leading to poor health outcomes. Individuals with lived experiences of chronic disease and substance use, along with health directors, advocated for improved services. Subsequently, an urban healthcare team in partnership with four First Nation communities developed an Outreach clinic to address healthcare access barriers. Established in 2016, this community-led clinic improves primary care access and chronic disease management in First Nation communities. Employing a qualitative research design, interviews were conducted with 15 clinic providers and 9 community members to explore the clinic's 1-year post-implementation impacts. Thematic data analysis indicated that engagement and approval by community leadership, support from Elders and community members and collaboration with existing community healthcare staff were crucial for establishing the Outreach clinic. Initial logistical challenges with space allocation, equipment, medical supplies, funding, staffing, medical records and appointment scheduling were resolved through community consultation and creative solutions. A nurse coordinator ensured continuity of care and was integral to ensuring clients receive seamless care. The commitment of the outreach team and the collective goal of providing client-centered care were instrumental in the clinic's success. In partnership with communities, access to healthcare in First Nation communities can be enhanced by coordinating Outreach clinics through existing community healthcare facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background There is a lack of evidence on the usefulness, practicality, and acceptance of vaccination outreach clinics in the community especially during pandemics. In this qualitative study, we explored the experiences, motivations and perceptions of service users, health professionals, strategic staff, volunteers, and community workers involved in the COVID-19 vaccination outreach clinics in Luton. Methods Semi structured face to face, telephone, online interviews, and focus groups were conducted with 31 participants including health professionals, strategic staff, volunteers, community workers and service users. The Framework Method was used to analyse the data and generate themes. Results Service users expressed positivity towards the convenience and familiarity of the location of the vaccination outreach clinics and the flexibility of receiving the vaccination in a local setting. Participants involved in the planning and delivery of the service commented on the worthwhile and rewarding experience but suggested more attention should be given to preparation time, service user recruitment, the working environment, and staff welfare. Conclusions The COVID-19 mobile vaccination outreach clinics in Luton tested and developed a different model of service delivery and demonstrated a collaborative way of working: “taking the health service to the patient, not the patient to the health service”. Planning and local community engagement were seen as key to successful delivery of a mobile healthcare service.

Background: There is a lack of evidence on the usefulness, practicality, and acceptance of vaccination outreach clinics in the community especially during pandemics. In this qualitative study, we explored the experiences, motivations and perceptions of service users, health professionals, strategic staff, volunteers, and community workers involved in the COVID-19 vaccination outreach clinics in Luton. Methods: Semi structured face to face, telephone, online interviews, and focus groups were conducted with 31 participants including health professionals, strategic staff, volunteers, community workers and service users. The Framework Method was used to analyse the data and generate themes. Results: Service users expressed positivity towards the convenience and familiarity of the location of the vaccination outreach clinics and the flexibility of receiving the vaccination in a local setting. Participants involved in the planning and delivery of the service commented on the worthwhile and rewarding experience but suggested more attention should be given to preparation time, service user recruitment, the working environment, and staff welfare. Conclusions: The COVID-19 mobile vaccination outreach clinics in Luton tested and developed a different model of service delivery and demonstrated a collaborative way of working: "taking the health service to the patient, not the patient to the health service". Planning and local community engagement were seen as key to successful delivery of a mobile healthcare service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: All Nepalese citizens have the right to high-quality healthcare services free of charge. To achieve this, healthcare services for the rural population in Nepal need to be improved in terms of personnel, medicines, and medical equipment., Objectives: To explore challenges and possible improvements healthcare personnel experience when travelling to rural parts of Nepal to provide healthcare., Method: Data was collected from various health professionals using focus group discussions at Dhulikhel Hospital in Nepal. The data were transcribed and analysed using Systematic text condensation., Results: Twenty-two professional healthcare personnel participated in five group discussions. Four categories emerged from the collected material: Finding ORC services being underutilised, Wanting to fulfil tasks and do a good job, Facing inadequate resources, and Seeing the need for improved organisation and cooperation. There was consensus that rural clinics are important to maintaining health for the rural population of Nepal. However, there was frustration that the rural population was not benefitting from all available healthcare services due to underutilisation., Conclusion: Rural healthcare clinics are not utilised appropriately, according to healthcare workers at the rural outreach clinics. Potential ways of overcoming the perceived challenges of underutilising available healthcare services include financial and human resources. The rural population´s health awareness needs to be increased, and the work environment for rural healthcare workers needs to be improved. These issues need to be prioritised by the government and policymakers.

Introduction: Many studies have been conducted on how physicians view outreach health services, yet few have explored how rural patients view these services. This study aimed to examine the patient experience and satisfaction with outreach health services in rural NSW, Australia and the factors associated with satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients who visited outreach health services between December 2020 and February 2021 across rural and remote New South Wales, Australia. Data on patient satisfaction were collected using a validated questionnaire. Both bivariate (chi-squared test) and multivariate analyses (logistic regression) were performed to identify the factors associated with the outcome variable (patient satisfaction). Results: A total of 207 participants were included in the study. The mean age of respondents was 58.6 years, and 50.2% were men. Ninety-three percent of all participants were satisfied with the outreach health services. Respectful behaviours of the outreach healthcare practitioners were significantly associated with the higher patient satisfaction attending outreach clinics. Conclusions: The current study demonstrated a high level of patient satisfaction regarding outreach health services in rural and remote NSW, Australia. Further, our study findings showed the importance of collecting data about patient satisfaction to strengthen outreach service quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If the UK is to achieve the NHS England strategy of viral elimination of hepatitis C by 2025, it is essential for operational delivery networks (ODNs) to establish outreach clinics in locations more accessible to those at greatest risk of infection. Setting up new services takes time and requires careful planning, and nurses should be aware of the practical considerations and potential obstacles they may face. To set up an outreach clinic, a prospective location must first be selected according to a number of considerations. A scoping visit can confirm its suitability and begin engagement with the local team. The clinic should be planned with a standard operating procedure document, risk assessments and appropriate staffing arrangements organised. Support should be established from management, consultants and pharmacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Specialist outreach consultations in the primary care setting have long been controversial with regard to both their effectiveness in treating patients and their potential in improving the interaction between family physicians and specialists.Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence and nature of outreach consultations in primary care clinics in Israel.Methods: Questionnaires were sent to the heads of all public family practices of the General Sick Fund in our district (38 practices with about 180,000 patients). All 38 practice managers returned completed questionnaires.Results: Twenty-eight of the 38 practices (74%) have some type of specialist consultation available within their clinics. The most common specialties providing outreach clinics are cardiology (47%), nephrology (45%) and internal medicine (39%), where the consultation was performed with the family physician and the patient present. Psychiatry consultations (42%), however, were generally performed without the patient being present. Most of the practice heads felt that in essence outreach clinics could be a positive way of treating their patients.Conclusions: Head physicians of primary care clinics tend to see outreach clinics as being a very positive tool with which to treat patients. Although many family physicians have some form of specialist consultation available, it is provided and performed mainly on an ad hoc basis. At present no data are available on how best to structure these consultations, or on which specialties outreach clinics are most suitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female commercial sex workers are at higher risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and may be important in the transmission of infections because of their multiple sexual partners. Sexual health may not be their top priority and current STI services may not be seen as user-friendly. An outreach approach is therefore appropriate for this group. This should be in collaboration with the women and include other services that they feel are appropriate. If possible it should also incorporate the use of sex workers as peer educators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]