Key considerations in delivering appropriate and accessible health care for rural and remote populations: Discussant overview.

Objective: To provide an overview of papers discussing optimal service delivery models for rural and remote Australia. Design: A synthesis of overarching considerations guiding rural and remote health service policies. Setting: Small rural and remote communities in Australia. Participants: Invited delegates attending the Inaugural Rural and Remote Health Scientific Symposium in Brisbane 2008. Main outcome measures: Key issues underpinning health service provision for small rural and remote communities. Results: The formulation and implementation of effective health service provision policies must be underpinned by overarching health goals, agreed health service requirements, recognition of how rural and remote health contexts impact upon health service provision and the constraints limiting health service responses. Conclusion: Systemic change is required in order to ensure equitable access to health care services in small rural and remote communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]