Evaluating consumer preferences for health care services in rural Australia

SUMMARY Service provision to remote rural areas is extremely costly, and only likely to be effective if the services provided are appropriate and accessible to the population. To date, little is known about the attitudes of rural residents (both townsfolk and the farming population) to various services. This study examines people's attitudes towards services generally, and health services in particular, and relates their attitudes to sociodemographic variables and geographical location. The results show the overwhelming importance attributed to health services, particularly medical services, and that attitudes differ significantly according to place of residence and by age group. These findings have major implications for those responsible for formulating policies relating to service provision for rural areas.