Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39762797›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2025

Commissioning health services for First Nations, regional, and remote populations: a scoping review.

Henry Boer, Janya McCalman, Chris Doran, Amanda Rush, Bridgett Mitchell, Ruth Fagan, Elizabeth Whiting, Megan Kreis, Hannah Johnson, David Lyon

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Henry BoerOffice of Indigenous Engagement, CQUniversity Australia, Level 2 Cairns Square, Cnr Abbott & Shields St, Cairns, QLD, 4881, Australia. h.boer@cqu.edu.au.
Janya McCalmanJawun Research Centre, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity Australia, Level 2 Cairns Square, Cnr Abbott & Shields St, Cairns, QLD, 4881, Australia.
Chris DoranCluster for Resilience and Well-Being, Appleton and Manna Institutes, CQUniversity Australia, Level 4, 160 Ann Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia.
Amanda RushFaculty of Medicine and Health, School of Public Health, Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data, The University of Sydney, Level 5 Moore College CG2, 1 King St, Newtown, NSW, 2042, Australia.
Bridgett MitchellJawun Research Centre, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity Australia, Level 2 Cairns Square, Cnr Abbott & Shields St, Cairns, QLD, 4881, Australia.
Ruth FaganJawun Research Centre, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity Australia, Level 2 Cairns Square, Cnr Abbott & Shields St, Cairns, QLD, 4881, Australia.
Elizabeth WhitingReform Office, Strategy, Policy and Reform Division, Queensland Health, The Prince Charles Hospital, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Floor 13, 33 Charlotte Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia.
Megan KreisReform Office, Strategy, Policy and Reform Division, Queensland Health, Floor 13, 33 Charlotte Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia.
Hannah JohnsonReform Office, Strategy, Policy and Reform Division, Queensland Health, Floor 13, 33 Charlotte Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia.
David LyonReform Office, Strategy, Policy and Reform Division, Queensland Health, Floor 13, 33 Charlotte Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCommissioning for health services has been implemented as one approach to improve the quality and access to healthcare for First Nations, regional and remote populations. This review systematically scoped the literature for studies that described or evaluated the governance, funding, implementation and outcomes from health service commissioning targeting these groups in Canada, Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand and the United States (CANZUS nations).

methodsSeventeen databases were searched for relevant peer reviewed and grey literature studies published in English from 2010 to 2023. Grounded theory methods were used to identify the enablers and strategies or processes that support commissioning and any challenges to implementation.

resultsOverall, 29 Peer reviewed and 18 grey literature studies remained after screening. The studies reported enabling conditions for effective commissioning including operating models that were responsive to beneficiary needs, workforce and technical capability, flexibility and duration of contracts, adequate funding, and achievable health outcomes and indicators. Supporting strategies focussed on multi-actor collaboration, relationship building, and service innovation. Reported impacts included improved access to care, and self-determination and wellbeing for First Nations populations. Challenges related to inflexible funding, high transaction costs, overcompliance, and poor relationships. Most studies were process evaluations or descriptions of the application of commissioning to various health areas, with comparatively limited assessment of the impacts across the health system, or on health status.

conclusionFindings suggests that a relational model drives success in commissioning for health and wellbeing services for First Nations, regional and remote populations. The relational model presented in this review is supported by the following attributes: responsive, resourced, collaborative, equitable, innovative and self-determined: and when applied by multiple actors in the commissioning process can address the complex health and wellbeing needs of end users.

Indexed as

Health Services AccessibilityHealth Services, IndigenousRural PopulationAustraliaCanadaHumansNew ZealandUnited StatesCommissioningFirst Nations peoplesHealthcareRegionalRemote

Identifiers

PMID39762797
PMCPMC11702161

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.