This presentation outlines the co-design, implementation, and evaluation of a telehealth model to enhance access to specialist care in a very remote community in Central Australia.

Using a Participatory Action Research approach, qualitative data was collected through community yarning and interviews and analysed thematically. Findings indicated that telehealth improved access to outpatient services and was acceptable to community members when supported by trusted local primary health care staff and delivered through a hybrid model, combining face-to-face and virtual care.

Key enablers of the model’s success included strong primary health care clinic leadership and the involvement of Aboriginal staff. Challenges included IT issues, workforce turnover, dependency on individual digital health champions, and limited staff training opportunities. The findings identified strengthening IT systems and investing in Aboriginal workforce development as priorities.