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Public Health: Rural Health Services Research—2nd Edition
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Public Health: Rural Health Services Research—2nd Edition

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 May 2027 | Viewed by 12254

Special Issue Editor

Dr. David Lim

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. IMPACCT: Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
2. Translational Health Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
3. College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
4. Mparntwe Centre for Evidence in Health: A JBI Centre of Excellence, Alice Spring, NT 0870, Australia
Interests: health service; translational research; health policy; rural and remote; workforce
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are organizing a second Special Issue on “Public Health: Rural Health Services Research” in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH), an open access, peer-reviewed journal. For detailed information on the journal, please refer to https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph.

The inverse notion of care (“availability of good medical care tends to vary inversely with the needs of the population served”) still holds true in many regional, rural and remote communities. These communities often face unique challenges to accessing health services due to their geographic location and the lack of critical mass, and often have poorer health and well-being outcomes than people living in urban areas. We have seen from the recent COVID-19 pandemic how the regional, rural and remote communities are impacted in a multitude of ways. While media attention has frequently focused on “doom and gloom", there are many impactful innovations in regional, rural and remote health services that target the changing demography, cost of living crisis, climate emergency, disasters, geopolitics uncertainty, funders’ priorities and technology adoption on healthcare service design and delivery, and health workforce preparation, recruitment and retention.

This second Special Issue of IJERPH aims to acknowledge, celebrate and share the innovations by exploring the many approaches to the design, delivery, implementation, evaluation of regional, rural and remote health services, including health workforce training, development and retention; integrated healthcare; telehealth; technological advancements in health; environmental health; education and training; capacity building in rural and remote communities; health policy; universal health coverage; Indigenous or First Nations health; and care provision for disadvantaged, marginalized and vulnerable communities. The issue is open to any topic related to regional, rural and remote health. The listed keywords below suggest just a few of the many possibilities.

Dr. David Lim
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • rural health services
  • rural health
  • social determinants of health
  • health workforce
  • health planning

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 261 KB  
Article
Exploring Learning Engagement in Rural and Urban Nursing Placements: A Five-Year Mixed-Methods Study
by Sandra Coe, Annette Marlow, Sarah J. Prior and Carey Mather
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(2), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020163 - 28 Jan 2026
Viewed by 314
Abstract
Professional experience placements are a requirement for undergraduate nursing students enabling real world skill development. Barriers to meaningful and positive placements have previously been reported, however there is limited research on how the location of placement impacts the student experience and outcomes. This [...] Read more.
Professional experience placements are a requirement for undergraduate nursing students enabling real world skill development. Barriers to meaningful and positive placements have previously been reported, however there is limited research on how the location of placement impacts the student experience and outcomes. This study investigates the placement experiences of undergraduate nursing students at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) over a five-year period, with a focus on urban versus rural settings and year-level differences. Findings reveal that over one-third of students reported constructive placement experiences, with rural placements yielding slightly more positive outcomes than urban ones. First-year students were more likely to report constructive experiences compared to their senior counterparts, suggesting that longer placement durations may contribute to increased dissatisfaction. Quality of placement—defined by supervision and skill development—emerged as the most influential factor in shaping student experiences. While most students praised the quality of supervision, third-year students expressed both the highest praise and criticism. Opportunities for clinical and interpersonal skill development were central to students’ perceptions of placement quality, with rural placements slightly outperforming urban in skill development. However, some students, particularly in later years, felt that certain venues lacked adequate opportunities for skill acquisition. The study underscores the importance of high-quality supervision and appropriate clinical settings in enhancing placement experiences and suggests that constructive placements are more conducive to learning. These insights can inform strategies to improve the educational value of nursing placements across diverse settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health: Rural Health Services Research—2nd Edition)
12 pages, 435 KB  
Article
The Financial Costs and Effects on the Well-Being of Nursing Students’ Professional Experience Placements: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study of Urban and Rural Experiences
by Sandra Coe, Annette Marlow, Sarah J. Prior and Carey Mather
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(12), 1848; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22121848 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 771
Abstract
There is sustained research interest examining what constitutes positive and effective professional experience placements. However, few studies have investigated the financial costs of placements for health profession students. This study bridges the research gap by analysing the financial impacts of placements reported by [...] Read more.
There is sustained research interest examining what constitutes positive and effective professional experience placements. However, few studies have investigated the financial costs of placements for health profession students. This study bridges the research gap by analysing the financial impacts of placements reported by nursing students in 2018/2019. The study analyses feedback from nursing students at the University of Tasmania, using a comparative lens analysing the costs for urban and rural placements (in this paper the term ‘rural’ includes regional, rural, remote and very remote). The results indicate students undertaking rural placements in Tasmania may be better supported than students with urban placements. This finding may be a result of the package of support provided by UTAS for its pre-registration nursing students when undertaking placements in rural locations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health: Rural Health Services Research—2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 487 KB  
Article
Digital Health Innovation by Design: A Logic Model Scaffold for Rural, Regional, and Remote Settings
by Michelle A. Krahe, Nico Adams and Sarah L. Larkins
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(11), 1743; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22111743 - 18 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1443
Abstract
Digital health innovations (DHIs) have the potential to transform access, continuity, and quality of healthcare in rural, regional, and remote (RRR) settings, yet they often fall short in practice. Barriers extend beyond infrastructure and technology to include workforce challenges and the complex realities [...] Read more.
Digital health innovations (DHIs) have the potential to transform access, continuity, and quality of healthcare in rural, regional, and remote (RRR) settings, yet they often fall short in practice. Barriers extend beyond infrastructure and technology to include workforce challenges and the complex realities of delivering care across diverse geographic, cultural, and social contexts. Effective DHIs must therefore be designed with local needs and systemic constraints in mind. Conventional logic models can align inputs and activities with intended outcomes, but their linear and static assumptions often fail to capture the adaptive, relational, and place-based nature of RRR health systems. This paper presents a logic model scaffold—an iterative, four-step process for planning, implementing, and evaluating DHIs in RRR settings. Informed by program theory and implementation science, the scaffold is illustrated through a case example from the Northern Australian Regional Digital Health Collaborative. The process involves understanding context and needs, aligning interventions with system enablers, translating these into targeted activities and outputs, and embedding reflexivity and iterative adaptation. Applying the scaffold from the earliest stages of planning enhances methodological rigor, transparency, and responsiveness to local priorities, workforce realities, and system-level enablers in RRR healthcare. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health: Rural Health Services Research—2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 261 KB  
Article
A Qualitative Descriptive Study of Rural Primary Healthcare Professionals’ Capacity for Disaster Health Management Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Ehmaidy Al qaf’an, Stewart Alford, Holly A. Mack, Ravneet Sekhon, Samuel Gray, Kiara Song, Katie Willson, Glynn Kelly and David Lim
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(1), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010126 - 20 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3944
Abstract
Introduction: Rural areas face additional challenges in preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. This study aimed to understand how rural primary healthcare professionals (PHCPs) perceive their roles, involvement, and capacity in disaster health management. Methods: For this qualitative descriptive research, [...] Read more.
Introduction: Rural areas face additional challenges in preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. This study aimed to understand how rural primary healthcare professionals (PHCPs) perceive their roles, involvement, and capacity in disaster health management. Methods: For this qualitative descriptive research, semi-structured interviews were carried out with convenience and purposive samples of rural PHCPs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Open, axial, and selective coding were employed to analyse the data inductively. Results: Five interviews were conducted before the pandemic, and ten interviews were conducted during the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. The themes identified were similar between the two periods. Rural PHCPs were underutilised due to a lack of awareness of their capacity and a lack of infrastructure and support for greater involvement. Conclusions: Rural PHCPs can be better integrated and supported in readiness for a whole-system response to future disasters. This study recommends empowering PHCPs in disaster management to promote the health and continuity of care in rural communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health: Rural Health Services Research—2nd Edition)
12 pages, 880 KB  
Article
Do Medical Graduates from a Rural Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship Work in Similar Rural Communities?
by Jessica Beattie, Lara Fuller, Marley J. Binder, Laura Gray, Vincent L. Versace and Gary D. Rogers
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(12), 1688; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21121688 - 18 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1842
Abstract
(1) Background: Medical graduates who have undertaken longitudinal rural training have consistently been found to be more likely to become rural doctors and work in primary care settings. A limitation of such findings is the heterogeneous nature of rural medical education and contested [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Medical graduates who have undertaken longitudinal rural training have consistently been found to be more likely to become rural doctors and work in primary care settings. A limitation of such findings is the heterogeneous nature of rural medical education and contested views of what constitutes ‘rurality’, especially as it is often reported as a binary concept (rural compared to metropolitan). To address the identified gaps in workforce outcomes for rural medical training and to demonstrate accountability to the communities we serve, we investigated whether Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC) graduates are practicing in communities with similar rural classification to those where they trained. Within an LIC, students learn the curriculum in an integrated, simultaneous manner. (2) Material and Methods: A retrospective cohort study analysing variables associated with working in smaller rural communities. (3) Results: LIC graduates who undertook an additional year of rural training were five times more likely to work in communities of similar rurality to the program’s training footprint. (4) Conclusions: The duration of rural training alone did not lead to optimal rural workforce outcomes. However, graduates who had trained in a combination of rural settings, an LIC, and block rotation were the most likely to practice in communities of similar rurality to the clerkship’s training footprint. This highlights the impact of both the training duration and setting inclusive of an LIC on fostering positive rural workforce outcomes and the need to develop innovative solutions to expand these models of training in smaller rural communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health: Rural Health Services Research—2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 522 KB  
Article
Virtual Care Appointments and Experience Among Older Rural Patients with Chronic Conditions in New South Wales: An Analysis of Existing Survey Data
by Eloise A. B. Price, Mohammad Hamiduzzaman, Vanette McLennan, Christopher Williams and Victoria Flood
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(12), 1678; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21121678 - 17 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2373
Abstract
This retrospective, descriptive study, conducted in 2024, analysed Virtual Care Survey (2020–2022) data of patients’ self-reported reflections on use and experiences to investigate relationships between demographics, the number of chronic conditions, and virtual care use among older rural patients (≥65 years with at [...] Read more.
This retrospective, descriptive study, conducted in 2024, analysed Virtual Care Survey (2020–2022) data of patients’ self-reported reflections on use and experiences to investigate relationships between demographics, the number of chronic conditions, and virtual care use among older rural patients (≥65 years with at least one chronic condition) living in New South Wales, and their satisfaction with virtual care. Associations between categorical variables were assessed using chi-squared tests, and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used for continuous variables. Qualitative feedback was analysed thematically. The study included 264 patients (median age 74 years; 51.1% women). Most virtual care appointments (65.3%) were for consultations, check-ups, or review of test results. Over one-third (38.3%) of the patients had multimorbidity and were 1.8 times more likely to have five or more virtual care appointments compared to the patients with one chronic condition. The oldest age group (≥80 years) preferred telephone over online mediums (Skype or Zoom) (p < 0.05). Patient satisfaction was high (65.8%), with 60.9% finding virtual care comparable to in-person consultations. Technological issues correlated with more negative experiences (p < 0.05). Key themes were enhanced accessibility and convenience, quality and safety of virtual care, and recommendations for equitable access. Despite positive responses, addressing technological complexities is important for optimising virtual care models for older rural Australians with chronic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health: Rural Health Services Research—2nd Edition)
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