Regional & remote
Overview
- People in regional and remote populations differ from urban populations in having less access to medical care. Specialist STI services are less likely to be available and there may be considerable waiting times for appointments with GPs.
- Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender and intersex (GLBTI) communities may be less visible in rural and remote areas and people may be reluctant to identify as GLBTI.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent a higher proportion of the population in many remote areas.
- Clinicians in regional and remote areas should have a low threshold for offering STI testing opportunistically.
- Potential barriers include regional and remote health professionals knowing patients in a social context, or they may be locums and have little opportunity to build a relationship with patients.
Last Updated: Friday, 27 November 2015