Rural and Remote Primary Health Care Research Fellow

Penny Van Ast

Regional Telehealth Coordinator

Midwest Murchison Health Region

June to October 2005

Title

Supporting Carers via Video conference

Project Summary

Penny is known throughout Western Australia as a telehealth champion. With her nurturing, the Midwest and Murchison has benefited from many innovative projects that used videoconference to improve the lives of isolated residents.

Closest to her heart is the videoconferenced sessions with carers. The project provides support, assistance, practical advice, and networking opportunities for carers throughout the Midwest, Murchison and Gascoyne areas of Western Australia using video conferencing. It is conducted in partnerships with the Aged and Community Care Team in Geraldton and health professionals in rural towns.

For her fellowship, Penny conducted and analysed semi-structured interviews with local service providers, the program facilitator and randomly selected carers who had participated in sessions.

Penny found that this program benefited carers and enhanced the effectiveness of local home and community care services at a very modest cost.  Videoconferencing proved and acceptable and accessible media for delivering education and support.
The full report can be downloaded here. (pdf  179 kb)