TY - JOUR
T1 - The development of a framework for high-quality, sustainable and accessible rural private therapy under the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme
AU - Dew, Angela
AU - Barton, Rebecca
AU - Ragen, Jo
AU - Bulkeley, Kim
AU - Iljadica, Alexandra
AU - Chedid, Rebecca
AU - Brentnall, Jennie
AU - Bundy, Anita
AU - Lincoln, Michelle
AU - Gallego, Gisselle
AU - Veitch, Craig
PY - 2016/12/3
Y1 - 2016/12/3
N2 - Purpose: The Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will provide people with individual funding with which to purchase services such as therapy from private providers. This study developed a framework to support rural private therapists to meet the anticipated increase in demand. Method: The study consisted of three stages utilizing focus groups, interviews and an online expert panel. Participants included private therapists delivering services in rural New South Wales (n = 28), disability service users (n = 9) and key representatives from a range of relevant consumer and service organizations (n = 16). We conducted a thematic analysis of focus groups and interview data and developed a draft framework which was subsequently refined based on feedback from stakeholders. Results: The framework highlights the need for a ‘rural-proofed’ policy context in which service users, therapists and communities engage collaboratively in a therapy pathway. This collaborative engagement is supported by enablers, including networks, resources and processes which are influenced by the drivers of time, cost, opportunity and motivation. Conclusions: The framework identifies factors that will facilitate delivery of high-quality, sustainable, individualized private therapy services for people with a disability in rural Australia under the NDIS and emphasizes the need to reconceptualize the nature of private therapy service delivery. Implications for Rehabilitation Rural private therapists need upskilling to work with individuals with disability who have individual funding such as that provided by the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme. Therapists working in rural communities need to consider alternative ways of delivering therapy to individuals with disability beyond the traditional one-on-one therapy models. Rural private therapists need support to work collaboratively with individuals with disability and the local community. Rural private therapists should harness locally available and broader networks, resources and processes to meet the needs and goals of individuals with disability.
AB - Purpose: The Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will provide people with individual funding with which to purchase services such as therapy from private providers. This study developed a framework to support rural private therapists to meet the anticipated increase in demand. Method: The study consisted of three stages utilizing focus groups, interviews and an online expert panel. Participants included private therapists delivering services in rural New South Wales (n = 28), disability service users (n = 9) and key representatives from a range of relevant consumer and service organizations (n = 16). We conducted a thematic analysis of focus groups and interview data and developed a draft framework which was subsequently refined based on feedback from stakeholders. Results: The framework highlights the need for a ‘rural-proofed’ policy context in which service users, therapists and communities engage collaboratively in a therapy pathway. This collaborative engagement is supported by enablers, including networks, resources and processes which are influenced by the drivers of time, cost, opportunity and motivation. Conclusions: The framework identifies factors that will facilitate delivery of high-quality, sustainable, individualized private therapy services for people with a disability in rural Australia under the NDIS and emphasizes the need to reconceptualize the nature of private therapy service delivery. Implications for Rehabilitation Rural private therapists need upskilling to work with individuals with disability who have individual funding such as that provided by the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme. Therapists working in rural communities need to consider alternative ways of delivering therapy to individuals with disability beyond the traditional one-on-one therapy models. Rural private therapists need support to work collaboratively with individuals with disability and the local community. Rural private therapists should harness locally available and broader networks, resources and processes to meet the needs and goals of individuals with disability.
KW - Allied health
KW - community-based rehabilitation
KW - individualized funding
KW - policy
KW - practice
KW - qualitative
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84953807103&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3109/09638288.2015.1129452
DO - 10.3109/09638288.2015.1129452
M3 - Article
C2 - 26747789
AN - SCOPUS:84953807103
SN - 0963-8288
VL - 38
SP - 2491
EP - 2503
JO - Disability and Rehabilitation
JF - Disability and Rehabilitation
IS - 25
ER -