Community engagement in health care can occur from policy to local community levels. It is consistent with democracy. A systems perspective can see consumers engaged to legitimise government agendas. Often community participation is via consultation instead of partnership or delegation. A community development approach to engagement can empower communities to take responsibility for their own health care. Understanding rural place facilitates alignment between health programs and community, assists incorporate community resources into health care and provides information about health needs. Rural communities, health services and other community organisations need skills in working together to develop effective partnerships that transfer some power from health systems. Rural engagement with national/state agendas is a challenge. Community engagement takes time and resources, but can be expected to lead to better health outcomes for rural residents.

Item Type:	Refereed Conference Paper
Research Division:	Health Sciences
Research Group:	Health services and systems
Research Field:	Health services and systems not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Other health
Objective Field:	Other health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Kilpatrick, SI (Professor Sue Kilpatrick)
ID Code:	53293
Year Published:	2008
Deposited By:	UTAS Centre for Rural Health
Deposited On:	2008-11-20
Last Modified:	2012-03-21
Downloads:	0