Barriers to accessing health services
In 2018–19, 30% (243,700) of First Nations people reported that they needed to, but did not see a health care provider on at least one occasion in the previous 12 months. Among those who did not see a health care provider when they needed to, the following reasons were given (more than one reason could be provided):
- 36% said they were too busy – higher in non-remote areas at 37%, compared with 30% in remote areas.
- 34% said cost was a factor – higher in non-remote areas at 36%, compared with 21% in remote areas.
- 23% said they disliked the service, or were embarrassed or afraid – higher in non-remote areas at 24%, compared with 15% in remote areas.
- About 1 in 3 (33%) said reasons related to service availability and/or transport/distance:
– waiting times were too long or the service was not available at the time required (21%)
– they did not have transport or the service was too far away (13%)
– the service was not available in their area (7%) – higher in remote areas at 22%, compared with 4.7% in non-remote areas.
Among First Nations people who did not see a health care provider when they needed to, the proportion who said this was due to reasons related to service availability and/or transport/distance was higher in remote areas than non-remote areas (54% compared with 29%).
In 2018–19, about 1 in 8 (13% or 102,000) First Nations people did not go to the doctor when they needed to. A larger proportion of those living in non-remote areas (14%) did not go to the doctor when they needed to, compared with those in remote areas (8%).
Logistical barriers were more significant in remote areas, while personal reasons posed greater barriers in non-remote areas. The greatest difference between remote and non-remote areas were:
- deciding not to seek care – 31% in non-remote areas, and 9.3% in remote areas
- service not available in area – 0.9% in non-remote areas, and 10% in remote areas.
About 1 in 5 (19% or 146,700) First Nations people did not go to the dentist when they needed to. A larger proportion of those living in non-remote areas (20%) did not go to the dentist when they needed to than those in remote areas (15%).
Cost was the main barrier to going to the dentist for those in non-remote areas (44%). For those in remote areas who did not go to the dentist when they needed to, cost was also an important factor (29%). Other key barriers included:
- disliking service/professional, embarrassed or afraid (23% in non-remote areas compared with 13% in remote)
- waiting time too long or not available at time required (13% in non-remote areas compared with 24% in remote areas).
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