Documenting interventions delivered by the Disability Liaison Officer Program to achieve equity in healthcare.

Abstract

People with disability often face barriers accessing healthcare, leading to unmet needs. Since 2020, the Victorian Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) Program has supported individuals in navigating public healthcare. This study explores how DLOs enable people with disability in a Melbourne healthcare network. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study analysed DLO Program data through descriptive statistics and directed content analysis. It examined referral pathways, prioritisation, and intervention themes. The study highlights the complexity of DLO interventions. Over 12 months, 602 referrals received DLO support, with 38% receiving multiple interventions and 11% receiving three or more. Interventions were grouped into 14 themes, reflecting the diverse strategies used to overcome healthcare access barriers. Specialist knowledge held by the DLO workforce, spanning the intersection of disability and health, is beneficial in delivering diverse and innovative interventions and fostering effective healthcare experiences. Future research will focus on the lived experience of DLO consumers to pinpoint key interventions enabling equitable healthcare access. These findings, alongside the current study, may provide evidence of the DLO Program's effectiveness at removing barriers to healthcare.