Improving Access to Quality Healthcare
How does economic disadvantage influence patient experience, and what strategies can improve it?
The problem:
Understanding and addressing disadvantage is key to building fair and inclusive societies. Economic disadvantage, in particular, is often linked to disadvantage and discrimination in other areas, including health care access and quality.
Our research:
- Analysed patient experience trends (2020–2024) in New South Wales to explore links between economic disadvantage and health outcomes at the local level.
- Used a combination of spatial microsimulation and econometric modelling with data from the ABS Patient Experience Survey (PES).
- Funded by the NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS), the research provides evidence on how disadvantage affects access to and experiences of health care.
Our impact:
- Revealed a clear link between patient experience and economic disadvantage, with poverty levels strongly influencing access to and quality of care.
- Identified regional variations across NSW, including distinct differences between Sydney and surrounding areas, reflecting diverse service needs and availability.
- Provides evidence to inform policy and advocacy, supporting more equitable and targeted approaches to improving health care access and outcomes.
Our analysis helps shape policy and advocacy by clearly showing patterns in how patients access and use health care, as well as their experiences, in local areas.
| Our Researchers | Our Collaborators | Our Partners | Publications |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW Council of Social Service |