McGrath P
Centre for Public Health Research, Queensland University of Technology.
Aust Health Rev. 1998;21(4):143-54. doi: 10.1071/ah980143.
As rural Queenslanders are isolated geographically due to dispersed population patterns, they are often required to travel long distances to access services, especially services of a specialist nature. The distress of this relocation for treatment is particularly intensified for patients with leukaemia and associated haematological disorders and their carers, as they must often relocate for long periods of time and face invasive and demanding treatments away from the comfort of their own homes. Because such treatments are now highly technical and specialised, even patients from more urbanised areas are also required to relocate for prolonged specialist treatment not available locally. Consequently, for many rural and urban patients with leukaemia, relocation for specialist treatment is a major concern. This discussion presents findings from recent research on a Queensland Government initiative, the Patient Transit Assistance Scheme, designed to address this concern. These findings indicate a high level of hardship for these patients and their families who must travel long distances, often relocate for long periods, and endure additional financial burdens at a time when a majority are dependent on government assistance.
由于昆士兰农村地区人口分布分散，地理位置偏远，人们往往需要长途跋涉才能获得服务，尤其是专科性质的服务。对于白血病及相关血液疾病患者及其护理人员来说，这种为治疗而搬迁的痛苦尤为加剧，因为他们常常需要长时间搬迁，并且要在远离自家舒适环境的地方接受侵入性且要求严苛的治疗。由于此类治疗如今技术含量高且专业性强，即便来自城市化程度较高地区的患者也需要搬迁至外地，以便接受当地无法提供的长期专科治疗。因此，对于许多城乡白血病患者而言，为接受专科治疗而搬迁是一个主要担忧。本讨论呈现了近期一项关于昆士兰政府倡议——患者交通援助计划的研究结果，该计划旨在解决这一担忧。这些结果表明，对于这些患者及其家庭而言，困难重重，他们必须长途跋涉，常常长时间搬迁，并且在大多数人依赖政府援助之时还要承受额外的经济负担。
