Table 2 Availability and Access to Healthcare Professionals and Specialists at a National Level (N = 84)*
| Â | On-Site (i.e., live and work in the community) | Indirectly available (i.e., through phone/internet, Telehealth) | Only Visiting (e.g., fly-in, mobile truck) | Available off-site (i.e., community members required to travel) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Off-site ≤40 km | Off-site > 40 km | ||||
Healthcare Professionals, n (%) | |||||
 Health Director | 75 (89.3) | 1 (1.2) | 4 (4.8) | 1 (1.2) | 0 (0.0) |
 Nurse-in-charge | 49 (58.3) | 4 (4.8) | 3 (3.6) | 4 (4.8) | 4 (4.8) |
 Family physician | 27 (32.1) | 8 (9.5) | 19 (22.6) | 22 (26.2) | 13 (15.5) |
 Nurse Practitioner | 12 (14.2) | 0 (0.0) | 8 (9.5) | 18 (21.4) | 6 (7.1) |
 Public Health Nurse | 33 (39.3) | 7 (8.3) | 3 (3.6) | 13 (15.5) | 4 (4.8) |
 Community Health Nurse | 67 (79.8) | 2 (2.4) | 6 (7.1) | 4 (4.8) | 5 (5.9) |
 Home Care Nurse | 70 (83.3) | 3 (3.6) | 8 (9.5) | 1 (1.2) | 3 (3.6) |
 Community Health Representative | 66 (78.6) | 1 (1.2) | 3 (3.6) | 1 (1.2) | 0 (0.0) |
 Personal Care Workers | 62 (73.8) | 1 (1.2) | 2 (2.4) | 2 (2.4) | 0 (0.0) |
 Diabetes Nurse Educator | 24 (28.6) | 10 (11.9) | 16 (19.1) | 15 (17.9) | 10 (11.9) |
 Community Diabetes Educator | 36 (42.9) | 5 (5.9) | 5 (5.9) | 6 (7.1) | 4 (4.8) |
 Dietitian | 25 (29.8) | 7 (8.3) | 16 (19.1) | 18 (21.4) | 14 (16.7) |
 Social Worker | 41 (48.8) | 1 (1.2) | 4 (4.8) | 12 (14.3) | 5 (5.9) |
 Mental Health Therapist | 32 (38.1) | 10 (11.9) | 22 (26.2) | 12 (14.3) | 7 (8.3) |
 Pharmacist | 10 (11.9) | 10 (11.9) | 4 (4.8) | 27 (32.1) | 10 (11.9) |
 Dentist | 19 (22.6) | 3 (3.6) | 8 (9.5) | 20 (23.8) | 16 (19.1) |
 Dental Hygienist | 26 (30.9) | 2 (2.4) | 18 (21.4) | 16 (19.1) | 8 (9.5) |
 Traditional Healers / Elders | 44 (52.4) | 4 (4.8) | 8 (9.5) | 1 (1.2) | 15 (17.9) |
 Cultural Coordinators | 42 (50.0) | 3 (3.6) | 2 (2.4) | 3 (3.6) | 4 (4.8) |
Specialists, n (%) | |||||
 Endocrinologist | 3 (3.6) | 12 (14.3) | 1 (1.2) | 9 (10.7) | 56 (66.7) |
 Wound Care Specialist | 6 (7.1) | 19 (22.6) | 0 (0.0) | 11 (13.1) | 48 (57.1) |
 Podiatrist/Chiropodist | 7 (8.3) | 10 (11.9) | 3 (3.6) | 12 (14.3) | 53 (63.1) |
 Physiotherapist | 10 (11.9) | 8 (9.5) | 3 (3.6) | 30 (35.7) | 8 (9.5) |
 Optometrist | 6 (7.1) | 8 (9.5) | 8 (9.5) | 26 (30.9) | 42 (50.0) |
 Opthalmologist | 3 (3.6) | 9 (10.7) | 9 (10.7) | 13 (15.5) | 53 (63.1) |
 Cardiologist/Internist | 2 (2.4) | 10 (11.9) | 0 (0.0) | 11 (13.1) | 59 (70.2) |
 Nephrologist | 1 (1.2) | 10 (11.9) | 0 (0.0) | 7 (8.3) | 62 (73.8) |
 Neurologist | 1 (1.2) | 10 (11.9) | 1 (1.2) | 9 (10.7) | 58 (69.1) |
 Vascular Surgeon | 1 (1.2) | 11 (13.1) | 1 (1.2) | 9 (10.7) | 61 (72.6) |
 Orthopedic | 1 (1.2) | 9 (10.7) | 0 (0.0) | 11 (13.1) | 59 (70.2) |
 Plastic Surgeon | 1 (1.2) | 9 (10.7) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |
 Psychiatrist | 4 (4.8) | 10 (11.9) | 6 (7.1) | 16 (19.1) | 53 (63.1) |
 Pediatrician | 4 (4.8) | 10 (11.9) | 8 (9.5) | 14 (16.7) | 53 (63.1) |