Challenges and innovations in access to community‐based rural primary care services during the Covid‐19 pandemic in Australia

BACKGROUND: Access to primary care is a significant issue for rural populations. The Covid‐19 pandemic imposed a unique operating environment for rural General Practice enabling accessible services. This study aimed to explore the challenges and innovations rural General Practices experienced in promoting accessible primary care during a year of the pandemic. METHODS: Longitudinal semi‐structured interviews were done with key informants (General Practitioners or Practice Managers) from purposefully selected General Practices from different rural towns in different subregions. Interviews occurred at three stages of the pandemic, June 2020–June 2021. They explored participant perspectives of the emerging challenges and innovatinos as they sought to support accessible primary care services during the pandemic. The data were thematically coded using a deductive framework of access challenges and innovations over time. RESULTS: Of 12 practices approached, 11 key informants responded, providing around 30 h of interview data. The challenges and innovations related to access, changed over time as the pandemic evolved. A common theme concerned reflexive action. Practices had been on a journey during the pandemic to embed new planning processes, digital health options and to innovate to protect and support patients and staff to sustain access. CONCLUSION: This study provides useful insights into the challenges and innovations experienced in rural general practice during the Covid‐19 pandemic to reflect on models, strategies and approaches that can apply to promote access to rural primary care services going forward.