The Theratrak team had an inspiring week at the SARRAH 15th National Rural and Remote Allied Health Conference in Mildura, Victoria on 21-23 Oct 2024.
SARRAH is a member-based peak body for rural and remote allied health in Australia advocating for change since 1995. This annual event brings together hundreds of allied health leaders and advocates dedicated to bridging healthcare gaps in Australia’s rural and remote communities.
We were honoured to showcase Theratrak’s innovative digital health solutions, highlighting how Theratrak is helping to reduce waitlists, boost clinic efficiency, and support allied health professionals working in regional settings.
Theratrak Founder & dedicated Occupational Therapist Laura Simmons presented twice at the conference and we also had an exhibition table where we gave away Theratrak merch, fidgets and other goodies for attendees.
Read more about our lessons and experience at the conference below.
Connecting with Rural Health Advocates
This year’s conference theme, Going the Distance: Thriving in Rural & Remote Communities, resonated strongly with Theratrak’s mission of providing easier access to therapy.
Across engaging sessions with thought leaders across allied health, we connected with hundreds of allied health professionals learning about their unique challenges and how they’re using innovative approaches to support remote communities.
From practitioners who travel over 10 hours to reach their clients to clinics grappling with waitlists that stretch up to a year, it’s clear that rural communities face significant healthcare accessibility hurdles. We were excited to contribute Theratrak’s perspective on digital health as a critical tool in overcoming these barriers.
There was a special focus on working with First Nations communities across Australia as well. SARRAH shared within their Reconciliation Action Plan for July 2024 - July 2026 that the proportion of Australian population who are First Nations Peoples increases with remoteness:
from 1.09% in major cities,
5.9% in regional areas and,
31.6% in remote and very remote areas.
It was fantastic to hear from First Nations communities and supporters directly about how to support these remote locations. The conference also included presenters and attendees from New Zealand.
Key Challenges for Remote Communities
The conference underscored the challenges and potential solutions for allied health professionals in rural and remote areas across Australia and New Zealand.
Urgent Workforce Gaps
Rural communities are facing a severe shortage of allied health professionals - with almost two thousand OTs required across regional Australia alone.
Despite the demand, local hiring remains challenging, especially in areas far from city centres that can’t offer the same relocation or monetary benefits.
Innovative Community Programs
Collaboration was a big focus for many remote communities. Multi-disciplinary teams and different health initiatives banded together to provide better support for children in regional areas and school-based programs.
The conference highlighted how important regional collaboration is to enhance healthcare accessibility.
Accessible Telehealth Solutions
Simplified tech solutions, particularly in telehealth, are vital for rural communities.
Different speakers highlighted different solutions to better deliver therapy online.
Presenting Theratrak’s Research at SARRAH 2024
Supporting Waitlists with Digital Home Practice Solutions
Presented by Theratrak’s Founder and Occupational Therapist, Laura Simmons, this session highlighted how digital home practice solutions are helping to alleviate pressure on clinic waitlists.
Presenting the research on behalf of Annie Seccull, Founder and Director at Thrive Group in Shepparton VIC, Laura shared more about the design of the OT home program for young children on their clinic waitlists.
Thrive created a 10-week home program with instructional resources like videos, PDFs and physical therapy toys to support therapy at home.
This initiative empowered parents with OT skills, increased engagement, and improved developmental outcomes for children, ultimately reducing wait times and expanding service reach in rural areas.
Future-Proofing Therapy in Regional Communities
During one of the final presentations for the conference, Laura explored how digital tools like Theratrak can transform therapy practices by streamlining admin, enhancing communication, and boosting treatment outcomes, especially in remote areas.
Before using new digital tools in allied health clinics, leaders need to identify their internal challenges, trial tools with internal team "champions," and ensure data privacy compliance.
Implementation of new tech within clinics involves a phased approach with team feedback, structured training, and clear goals.
When digital tools can save your clinic admin time, it’s important to ensure the entire team is on-boarded for the best outcomes for all.
Laura shared the example of Motivate Kids, the ever-growing clinic in Adelaide who implemented Theratrak to improve communication with families and schools, streamline documentation, and enhance engagement in therapy programs.
This session underscored the need for community-focused technology in rural health, with Theratrak committed to empowering allied health providers in underserved areas.
Read our related blog on how to adopt tech in your clinic or contact us for more information about the presentation.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Rural Health with Theratrak
As Theratrak continues to develop and adapt its digital tools, our focus remains on creating accessible, effective solutions for allied health professionals and participants in rural areas.
We are excited to keep collaborating with clinicians and community leaders to address the unique challenges of rural healthcare. If you’d like to hear more about Theratrak or work with us on this mission, please get in touch here.
Our time at SARRAH reinforced the vital role digital health tools like Theratrak play in supporting regional communities. By streamlining workflows, reducing administrative burden, and enhancing participant engagement, Theratrak is committed to empowering allied health professionals to work more effectively in underserved areas.
Our platform’s top five features are also popular within rural communities - including our customisable home activity library, the option for asynchronous communication, and our free gamified app for participants.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Theratrak table to chat, share insights, and inspire us at SARRAH 2024. We look forward to further partnerships and working together to ensure equitable healthcare access for all Australians, no matter where they are.
