Rural health workers up to the challenge
Remote health workers face many challenges. They work in isolation, deal with health problems that have disappeared in other parts of Australia and often work in areas with a high prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes. Held once every two years, the National Rural Health Conference, aims to assist with some of the challenges they face.The latest conference from March 7 to March 10, sees rural and remote health workers coming together to assess the current situation, the successes and challenges that still remain and compile a list of recommendations for change. National Rural Health Alliance Executive Director, Dr Gordon Gregory says the conference provides unique opportunities. Dr John Wakerman, Director of the Centre for Remote Health in Alice Springs says in his view educating communities is a key to better health outcomes.