Understanding Healthcare Systems

Healthcare refers to the healthcare system which promotes, restores or maintains health

Healthcare also refers to the action of providing patient care

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health, as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being

Health is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental right, without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition

The WHO provides guidance around the 6 core building blocks for healthcare systems:

Regulation and governance structures ensure laws and policies set standards for safe health care and accountability

Healthcare systems must determine who pays for services, including patient contributions and funding sources

Systems should ensure enough trained healthcare workers are available

There is a need to define training programs, ensuring worker qualification

A pathway is needed for developing and using new healthcare technologies and medical products

New technologies and medical products should be safe and clinically effective

Access to new healthcare technologies and medical products should be equitable for all patients

Healthcare should deliver care based on scientific evidence

Healthcare should enable the timely sharing of health information

Healthcare should be cost-effective, minimize resource waste, and ensure patients receive the right care at the right time

Australia's regulation and governance are managed by the national and state governments, plus local councils

Victoria has 79 metropolitan and regional local councils

The federal government sets national policies, manages Medicare funding, and funds the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

The federal government facilitates access to and regulating private health insurance, funds medical research, and regulates medicines, devices, and blood

The federal government organizes health services for veterans, and funds community-controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care

Key national policies, include the National Safety and Quality Health Services Standards, and the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights

State governments oversee the running and delivery of healthcare services

State governments mange public hospitals and licencing private hospitals

Running public community based and primary health services

Offering preventative services, such as Breast Screen Victoria and immunization programs

Running ambulance services; and handling complaints

Key policies for healthcare students, include mandates for healthcare worker vaccinations

Key policies include the working with children check and first aid obligations for various workplaces

Future study will include health legislations, such as privacy, and confidentiality

Healthcare involves regulating the health workforce and ensuring professionals are trained and qualified

Medicines and pharmacies should be regulated, safety and quality improved, and funding provided both public health programs and services

Regulations applies to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services funding

Each health service has its own policies and procedures, to comply with federal and state requirements

Policies and procedures also meet the unique needs of communities

These policies and procedures are informed by government and regulatory requirements

Clinical sites may have different requirements that students need to be aware of

Contact clinical sites at least 2 weeks before placement, to understand additional poliies and procedures

A clinical site cannot accept a student without the correct documentation as it breaches regulations, and puts others at risk

Medicare is a Universal Healthcare scheme in Australia

Medicare facilitates delivery of medical services and procedures in the community by private providers

Medicare enables access to free hospital services in public hospitals for Australians

Medicare provides for prescription medications at a discounted price through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

Australian and New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, and people from countries with reciprocal agreements can access Medicare

Others must pay full fees for health services or get private health insurance

In 2021-2022, the federal government provided 44% of the $241.32 billion spent on healthcare

State governments paid 29% of healthcare costs

Individual patients contributed 14%, health insurance and other non-government entities provided 7% and 6% respectively

Annually, federal and state governments allocate a budget for healthcare

In the 2023-2024 tax year, healthcare made up 15.6% of the federal expenditure

The budget's money depends on the revenue received through taxes

In Australia, you can only use titles like "Doctor," "Nurse," or "Medical Radiation Practitioner" if you are on the Health Practitioner Register

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) manages the register

Illegally using these titles can result in fines of up to $60,000 and/or jail time of up to 3 years; companies employing unregistered practitioners can be fined up to $120,000

AHPRA delegates authority to 15 different Boards, each overseeing their healthcare area

The national AHPRA board is the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA)

Standards defines the professional capabilities needed for registration as a Medical Radiation Practitioner

Students will work towards developing clinical practice capabilities over their degree

The MRPBA also defines topics universities must teach to ensure graduates are capable

The MRPBA will grant registration to graduates from accredited programs

Australia is around 7.7 million square km, making it the 6th largest country by total area

Ensuring healthcare facilities are close to people’s homes is challenging

June 2022 data indicates around 28% of the 27 million population lived in regional and remote areas where healthcare access is difficult

Rural females lives, are on average 19 years shorter than their urban counterparts

Rural males lives, are on average 13.9 years shorter than their urban counterparts

Clinical placements in regional, interstate, inner, and outer suburbs helps building workforce capabilities, so Australians have access to healthcare

It helps ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare

Placements expose students to medical technologies and will build technical skills and capabilities

Clinical placements expose students to a variety of patient communities, healthcare settings, and clinical contexts

Healthcare relies on research to improve patient outcomes and healthcare

A key part of being a healthcare practitioner is sharing health information in multiple formats

Practitioners should continuously reflect on their care/practice, to provide contemporary care

Medical Radiation Practitioners must complete 60 hours of continuous professional development every 3 years to stay up to date

Primary care is the first point of contact for healthcare in Australia, often via a general practitioner

Secondary care is more specialized healthcare, e.g., specialist doctors and allied health providers in dedicated facilities/small hospitals

Tertiary care is via larger hospitals, for cancer care or specific patient groups involving complex treatments

Emergency Departments are often associated with teaching institutions

Emergency Departments may be associated with teaching institutions but may also be associated with secondary care institutions

Referral pathways in Australia also influenced by a patient’s financial capability

Wealthier patients can "skip the queue", and indicates socioeconomic factors play a role in determining patient health outcomes

Hospitals must "admit" a patient, before providing healthcare

Admissions documents patients' healthcare needs

Admissions ensures the patient's rights and the hospital's responsibilities are formally defined and adhered to

Hospital admissions coordinate service delivery, along with tracking how many patients in the facility at one time

Individual health services look for patterns associated with healthcare systems, which inform individual facilities operations and management

In-patients are discharged from facilities

Discharge is the formal process of transitioning patient care from the hospital, to home or another care setting

Outpatients are patients receiving care outside the hospital, each time you visit the GP, you are attending an outpatient appointment

Medical Radiation healthcare, can be requested by Authorised person via a referral