Indicators for effective visiting primary care services: A case study

The objective of this study was to assess the clinical utility of a model of seven principles for effective visiting primary care services and to determine how it could be conceptualised as a tool for evaluation.

The research was undertaken in the context of visiting primary care services with an agency, Outback Futures, selected as a case study.

Three executive staff with Outback Futures participated in the research.

The case study design involved data collection by four group interviews conducted between July and November 2021. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis.

This case study is additional evidence for the clinical utility of the model of seven principles. The results reinforce the importance of a community-focussed approach to assess the impact of visiting service organisations on rural and remote communities. A comprehensive approach to evaluation is required to justify the investments made and safeguard the health and well-being of rural and remote residents. A self-assessment protocol has been established from the model for use by visiting services. Furthermore, three themes were drawn from the data: relationship is fundamental, the importance of co-design, and being effective as a visiting service is challenging.

The model is appropriate for the case study organisation, and has clinical utility and implications for other visiting services. A self-assessment protocol has been developed. Future research should apply the model and protocol self-assessment tool in an effort to construct a consistent and credible approach to evaluation of visiting primary care services.