Engaging Local Communities in Primary Health Data Collection: A Case Study in the Meander Valley Municipality, Tasmania

In population health, data collection presents a great challenge for researchers; particularly when it involves participants from isolated and remote communities. There are many factors which account for poor responses from these communities such as isolation and poor motivation, limited access to and knowledge of information technology, coupled with a general sense of discomfort with the traditional modes of data collection. In turn, this may discourage researchers from involving residents of remote communities in such studies. Healthcare professionals, administrators and policy makers therefore may struggle to identify appropriate evidence from which to plan health programs for rural and remote communities. This chapter is based on a current research project involving data collection from different localities within a rural municipality in Tasmania. The project seeks to map areas in need of health care services using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) tools. A survey was developed to collect information on physical health and wellbeing and service utilisation from residents in the Meander Valley municipality, Tasmania. In recognition of the importance of community participation in data collection, the research team worked collaboratively with local communities to ensure an optimal response rate from isolated communities. This chapter summarises strategies and activities employed in the community engagement and data gathering processes, and explore the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. Insights gained from this experience will help enhance future research dealing with data collection in rural and remote communities.