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3 - Understanding the community
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- By Ysanne Chapman, James Cook University, Charles Sturt University, Monash University and the University of Adelaide, Karen Francis, Charles Sturt University, Melanie Birks, James Cook University
- Karen Francis, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Ysanne Chapman, Central Queensland University, Carmel Davies, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
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- Book:
- Rural Nursing
- Published online:
- 06 August 2018
- Print publication:
- 22 August 2014, pp 34-45
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- Chapter
- Export citation
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Summary
Learning objectives
On completion of this chapter, the reader will be able to:
describe the features of a community profile and identify sources of data to inform this process
critically examine issues of access and equity in respect of health services
identify the information needed to inform prospective community planning
discuss the concept of burden of disease
appreciate the impact of contemporary communication systems on health outcomes.
Key words
Burden of disease, community profile, rural communities, rural nursing, midwifery
Chapter overview
Working effectively in any community requires understanding of the community. Such an understanding can be obtained through knowing the population demographics, resources and assets of that community. Together, these features make up a community profile that forms the basis for planning to address the burden of disease and inequity in health outcomes and accessibility to services in rural and remote areas. This chapter provides details of methods for building a community profile in which rural nurses and midwives work.
Community profile
A community profile is a summary of the community that is inclusive of the population, assets, resources and trends (social, political and economic) that provide baseline data (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2013b). These data provide the context for determining need, planning and assessing the impact of proposed initiatives (New Forest District Council, 2013). The community profile is harnessed by drawing on primary data that are generated through observations, stakeholder interviews, surveys, an inventory of services and facilities, and secondary data sources such as reports produced by local councils, businesses, the ABS census, workforce/labour and housing data, newspapers and other media communications (Community profiling, 2004; New Forest District Council, 2013). These data must be collated in a manner that is informative and useful. Developing community profiles is an iterative process that allows for new information to be included as it is isolated (Francis, Chapman, Hoare & Birks, 2013).
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