Strengthening Care for Rural Children (SC4RC)

SC4RC is a stepped-wedge translational trial evaluating an integrated GP-paediatrician model of care in regional and rural Victoria and NSW. The project aims to improve access to timely, high-quality paediatric care close to home by strengthening primary care and reducing avoidable referrals.

The challenge

Children living in regional and rural Australia often experience poorer health outcomes and face greater barriers to specialist care than children in metropolitan areas. Long travel distances, financial strain, limited local specialist availability and extended waiting times can delay care.

Our approach

Builds on the Strengthening Care for Children model and adapts it through co-design. Combines regular GP-led co-consultation sessions with paediatricians, weekday phone/email support for GPs, and an online community of practice delivered through Project ECHO. Stepped-wedge cluster RCT across general practice clinics in rural and regional Victoria and NSW.

Key goals

• Reduce GP referrals of children to public and private paediatric services.

• Improve GP quality of care for common childhood conditions.

• Increase GP confidence in paediatric management and navigation of child health services.

• Increase family trust in primary care.

• Determine the cost-effectiveness, adaptability, sustainability and scalability of the model.

Evaluation & impact

The primary outcome is the proportion of paediatric GP appointments that result in referral to a paediatric service during the intervention period compared with the control period. Secondary outcomes include quality of care across up to 17 common childhood conditions, GP and family confidence, implementation outcomes and sustainability.