Inequitable provision of optimal health services for patients with chronic heart failure: a national geo-mapping study

Clark, Robyn A; Driscoll, Andrea; Nottage, Justin; McLennan, Skye; Coombe, David M; Bamford, Errol J; Wilkinson, David; Stewart, Simon

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2007.tb01264.x

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In reply: We thank Dodd for her commentary on our article.1 We concur with many of the highlighted issues relating to our suboptimal response to the burden and management of chronic heart failure (CHF) in rural and remote Australia. These include the lack of rigorous epidemiological data and lack of specialist services “beyond city limits”.

1 Health Sciences Department, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA.
2 Faculty of Health Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC.
3 National Centre for Social Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GISCA), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA.
4 Department of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA.
5 Mayne Medical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD.
6 Preventative Cardiology Division, Baker Heart Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC.

Correspondence: robyn.clark@unisa.edu.au

1. Clark RA, Driscoll A, Nottage J, et al. Inequitable provision of optimal services for patients with chronic heart failure: a national geo-mapping study. Med J Aust 2007; 186: 169-173. <MJA full text>
2. Clark RA, McLennan S, Eckert K, et al. Chronic heart failure beyond city limits. Rural Remote Health [Internet] 2005; 5: 443. Epub 2005 Dec 16.
3. Abhayaratna WP, Smith WT, Becker NG, et al. Prevalence of heart failure and systolic ventricular dysfunction in older Australians: the Canberra Heart Study. Med J Aust 2006; 184: 151-154. <MJA full text>
4. National Centre for Social Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GISCA). http://www.gisca.adelaide.edu.au/ (accessed Jul 2007).
5. Clark RA, Inglis SI, McAlister FA, et al. Telemonitoring or structured telephone support programs for patients with heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis [abridged]. BMJ 2007; 334: 942-946.

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