Connections Reduce Rheumatic Heart Disease‐Related Mortality in Western Australia: A Mixed Methods Study.

Introduction: Preventable rheumatic heart disease (RHD) deaths continue to occur in Australia, with Aboriginal people disproportionately affected. Despite research into structural drivers and the lived experience of people with RHD, and national guidelines focusing on RHD prevention and treatment, r...

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Published in:Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 1 - 12
Main Authors: DeCourcy, Virginia, Hunt, Daniel, Stacey, Ingrid, Haynes, Emma, Paterson, Beverley, Huppatz, Clare, Gilles, Marisa, Katzenellenbogen, Judith
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Apr2025
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Apr2025
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        10.1111/ajr.70022
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        atl: Connections Reduce Rheumatic Heart Disease‐Related Mortality in Western Australia: A Mixed Methods Study.
      aug:
        au:
          DeCourcy, Virginia
          Hunt, Daniel
          Stacey, Ingrid
          Haynes, Emma
          Paterson, Beverley
          Huppatz, Clare
          Gilles, Marisa
          Katzenellenbogen, Judith
        affil: WA Country Health Service, Perth, Australia
      sug:
        subj:
          Rheumatic Heart Disease Mortality
          Mortality Trends
          Mortality Prevention and Control
          Human
          Descriptive Statistics
          Data Analysis Software
          Qualitative Studies
          Semi-Structured Interview
          Australia
          Aboriginal Australians
          Descriptive Research
          Male
          Female
          Infant, Newborn
          Infant
          Child, Preschool
          Child
          Adolescence
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Infant, Newborn: birth-1 month
          Infant: 1-23 months
          Child, Preschool: 2-5 years
          Child: 6-12 years
          Adolescent: 13-18 years
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Introduction: Preventable rheumatic heart disease (RHD) deaths continue to occur in Australia, with Aboriginal people disproportionately affected. Despite research into structural drivers and the lived experience of people with RHD, and national guidelines focusing on RHD prevention and treatment, recent coronial inquests have highlighted that systemic failures are ongoing. Few studies describe RHD service delivery and/or mortality within the Western Australian (WA) context. Objective: This study aimed to integrate quantitative information regarding RHD‐related deaths in WA between 2012 and 2021 with qualitative interview data to identify system‐level opportunities for the prevention of RHD‐related mortality in the WA health care setting. Design: Using quantitative data from the WA RHD register, a descriptive analysis of the clinical and demographic characteristics of RHD patients aged < 65 years was conducted, stratified by vital status. Thematic qualitative analysis of RHD stakeholder interviews was conducted in parallel, capturing systemic factors perceived to prevent or contribute to RHD‐related mortality in WA. Findings: Limited health service contacts were documented for the 60 registered‐recorded deaths among people with RHD. Interviewees emphasised that access to appropriate care was vital to prevent mortality. Passionate healthcare providers connect patients with care by fostering trusting relationships, but logistical, socio‐cultural and care quality barriers continue to hamper connections. Conclusion: Systemic change is needed in WA to support motivated providers and ensure that efforts to reduce RHD mortality do not rely on individual initiatives. This study contributes evidence for the need to improve RHD program design by prioritising patient‐provider connections, empowering, and resourcing providers to effectively engage with RHD patients.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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