Publications by authors named "Cynthia A Opie"
Oral healthcare attendance and the effectiveness of referrals for rural antenatal women.
Aust J Rural Health
February 2023
Objectives: To analyse the effectiveness of targeted stakeholder engagement strategies and the impact they have on antenatal referrals, oral health admission, attendance and education of pregnant women in a rural public dental clinic.
Method: Key stakeholders (obstetric trained general practitioners [GPs] and midwives) were educated and motivated to refer pregnant women to the rural public dental clinic via priority referral pathways. A 10-month pre- and post-intervention period of oral health assessments and treatments was compared and contrasted.
Article Synopsis
- Opioid replacement therapy (ORT) is the primary treatment for opioid dependence in Australia, but recovery is complicated by factors like access, cost, and stigma, particularly in rural areas.
- Six participants from rural ORT programs shared their experiences through interviews, revealing themes of personal reinvention, restrictions related to their environment, challenges in employment, and the importance of reconnection with family and community.
- The study highlights the need for supportive services that promote identity rebuilding and address trauma to improve social connections for individuals in rural ORT programs.
Discussions regarding overweight may be infrequent in Australian general practice. General practitioners (GPs) may find these discussions difficult to initiate if they are unsure of the language to use, or if patients would find it acceptable to be weighed. Overweight and obesity are more prevalent in rural areas than in metropolitan areas, and strategies to address the health risks associated with these conditions need to be tailored to rural communities.
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