In association with Simon Fraser University & Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute
Simon Fraser University
Great Northern Way Campus
555 Great Northern Way
Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 1E2
tel: 1.604.268.7306
fax: 1.604.268.7309
email: act4hlth@sfu.ca
website: www.sfu.ca/act4hlth
Partnering with Natural Helpers to Deliver Health Information in Rural, Regional and
Remote Australia (Theme I)
Investigators: Lyn Simpson and Leanne Wood
Background
The use of “natural helpers” or lay health advisors to address health issues is well documented as
an appropriate model of community health promotion, particularly in rural areas. Compelling
reasons supporting the role of rural natural helpers as health information intermediaries include
the shortage of professionals; cultural barriers to outside professional help; low population density,
creating problems associated with distance and time constraints; and the benefits to be gained by
community involvement in and ownership of a natural helper project, including increased community
capacity through improved access to information, and the strengthening of community networks.
Given the demographic and social similarities of Canada and Australia, the findings from this
project will contribute significantly to the body of knowledge in both countries about the
dissemination of health information in rural communities, and the critical role of information
intermediaries. It will complement other project activities by exploring in detail a strategy for
health information dissemination that is transferable to other cultural contexts, and will inform
project conclusions regarding effective policy and practice in this field.
Project Description
This study explores in depth the ways in which community natural helpers contribute to positive
health outcomes in three Australian rural communities. The study addresses:
ƒ The range of natural helper models that evolve within and across different types of rural
community, including those based on or utilising information and communication technology
(ICT), and the strengths and limitations associated with these;
ƒ The complexities of the relationship between natural helpers and professional and paraprofessional health workers in rural communities;
ƒ The impact of natural helpers on existing social networks and support systems in diverse
rural communities with different cultural, geographic and economic characteristics;
ƒ The potential of natural helpers to generate broader community capacity building benefits and
improved community health and well-being; and
ƒ The implications of the natural helper model for health related policy and practice in rural
communities.
Methods
The research is a qualitative study based in three Australian rural communities — a small and
remote community, a regional community and an indigenous community. The researchers use
semi-structured depth interviews and focus groups with natural helpers, health workers and
community members in each of the communities.