Australian primary care reform requires co-designed Telehealth-based care for its homebound population

AIMS: We aimed to explore the characteristics, experiences, and needs of FHBP in Australia. Frail, Homebound, and Bedridden People (FHBP) are members of different populations who indistinctly of their age or health conditions are unable to leave their homes. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2018, approximately 596,800 people were not leaving home as often as they would like due to their health conditions.

METHODS: Responding to health consumers’ calls, we conducted an online survey (Qualtrics opt-in link) snowball-shared via advocacy groups and social media (July-September 2020). The survey was approved by the Flinders University Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee (Project No. 8557).
RESULTS:  152 people responded to the quantitative aspects of the survey. Respondents’ main characteristics (Figure 1), health conditions (Figure 2) and needs (Table 1).

CONCLUSION: FHBP reported experiences of multiple comorbidities and social isolation. They highlighted their need to access the health system through telehealth. Moving beyond patients' physical attendance preferably through co-development of telehealth services with patients and carers has the potential to empower consumers, integrate care, and create more effective health and wellbeing services for FHBP in Australia.