Abstract
Globally, people living in rural and remote areas experience poorer healthcare access and outcomes than urban populations. Applying implementation strategies that support the translation of evidence-based healthcare interventions may help reduce these inequities; however, real-world implementation is complex, and it remains unclear how strategies are applied and tailored to rural and remote contexts. This scoping review synthesised evidence on implementation strategies for healthcare interventions in rural and remote settings of high-income countries. Five databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, Web of Science) were searched for peer-reviewed studies published between 1/1/2000 and 25/10/2024. Extracted data were synthesised using a descriptive narrative approach. From 11,887 records, 78 papers (75 studies) met inclusion criteria. Implementation efforts were multifaceted, commonly drawing on strategies from three Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change clusters: train and educate stakeholders (n = 70, 93%), use evaluative and iterative strategies (n = 55, 73%), and develop stakeholder interrelationships (n = 48, 64%). Few studies (n = 21; 28%) reported rural-specific design features. Although implementation in rural and remote contexts has focused on provider-level strategies, there is a need to also address system-level determinants to implementation. Context-specific design, meaningful engagement with local communities and stakeholders, and clearer reporting are essential to optimise implementation and reduce rural-urban health disparities.
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2025
Publication Title
Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific
Publisher
Elsevier
School
Exercise Medicine Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences
Funders
Commonwealth of Australia’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRF2030313) / Victorian Cancer Agency / National Health and Medical Research Council / Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship / Medical Research Future Fund Clinician Researchers Grant
Grant Number
NHMRC Number : APP2017080
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Comments
Chapman, A., Gaskin, C. J., Beks, H., Wright, C., Marshall, S., Johnston, E. A., Bergin, R. J., Riva, S., Crawford-Williams, F., Short, C. E., Kiss, N., Yoong, S. L., Hart, N. H., Shee, A. W., Rodi, H., Jongebloed, H., & Ugalde, A. (2025). Implementation strategies for evidence-based healthcare interventions in rural and remote settings: A scoping review. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2025.101732