The Australian Health Care System

In this third edition of Understanding the Australian Health Care System, authors Eileen Willis, Louise Reynolds and Helen Keleher introduce the reader to the key issues and theoretical concepts that provide insight into the way the Australian health care system is organised and how policy change impacts the health care profession. The third edition has been comprehensively revised, but continues to focus on the role and function of the health professional working within the Australian health care system. Fifteen health disciplines are considered in this new edition, with an emphasis on interprofessional practice and the social determinants of health. New chapters on workers’ compensation systems, oral health and dental services, clinical exercise physiology and pharmacy Significantly expanded glossary Up-to-date information on the most recent Australian health reforms Case studies on all of the major health care professions in Australia, including nurses, midwives, speech pathologists, audiologists, health managers, paramedics, social workers, dietitians, doctors (GPs), occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dentists and oral therapists, exercise physiologists, pharmacists and homeopaths A suite of video interviews with multidiscipline practitioners and thought leaders exploring aspects of Australian health care, theories and challenges now and for the future.

Understanding the Australian Health Care System 4e is the essential guide to the complexities of health care in Australia. Key theoretical concepts and current issues along with the structures and policies influencing health care professionals are explored by leading experts led by authors, Eileen Willis, Louise Reynolds and Trudy Rudge. The text is divided into two sections. The first is about the multiple systems, services and schemes that make up health care in Australia. The second explores the roles of fifteen health professions working within the current system, with a focus on key themes of interprofessional practice, chronic illness, and quality and safety. Additional resources on Evolve eBook on VitalSource Student and Instructor Resources on Evolve Video interviews with practitioners and thought leaders Discipline-specific case studies Multiple choice questions Instructor Resources on Evolve PowerPoint presentations Tutorial planner Test banks

A updated overview of Australia’s health care system, addressing its core features, concepts and issues Understanding the Australian Health Care System, 2nd edition is an excellent university book for undergraduate and postgraduate students alike. Published four years after the original, this second edition has been fully revised to reflect major Australian health care reform. Its fully up-to-date content includes current governmental and legislative changes impacting Australia’s health care system. Other topics addressed include quality and safety within the system, health insurance in Australia – both public and private – the PBS and integrated medicine. This outstanding medical book delves deeply into the system’s theoretical framework, structure and organisation and includes comparisons with the US and UK health care systems. This new edition of Understanding the Australian Health Care System will be a valuable reference for those studying health science, health promotion, sports and exercise science, physiotherapy, human services, nursing, midwifery, medicine, paramedicine, health system management, medical radiations science and health informatics. Online student and instructor resources Stronger focus on social determinants throughout text Addresses a wide range of health professions – now including disability professionals and social workers Current theoretical framework for healthcare reform (Tuohy 2009) Stronger focus on social determinants throughout text Addresses current position on national registration Features an excellent ancillary package on Elsevier’s Evolve platform Includes three new chapters addressing: disability professionals; quality and safety; and social work Reflects major health care reform in Australia (COAG 2009) Discusses current theoretical framework for healthcare reform (Tuohy 2009) New contributors

The Australian Health Care System 5th edition is a comprehensive and forward-looking overview of the structure and operation of health systems and services in Australia. It analyses how the inputs of Australian health services, such as finances, the health workforce, and the roles of state and federal government influence the outcomes, which range from consumer confidence to policy changes. Written with an emphasis on policy and economic issues, the book provides an extensive overview of the interactions between consumers and providers of health care in Australia. It includes in depth examination of major developments including the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme; the establishment of Local Health Networks, Medicare Locals and Primary Health Networks; the Abbott Governmentas proposed health system changes; and the redesign of the aged care system

The Australian Healthcare System provides students with a fully updated, comprehensive overview of the structure and operation of health systems and services in Australia.

A century ago, health services absorbed few resources and provided little benefit. Since then, advances in medical knowledge and techniques have escalated both the benefits and the costs. The affordability of health services is being questioned in even the richest countries, and the economic aspects of health policy have become ever more intrusive. Australia is no exception, with its health system now absorbing 19% of all government tax revenue. Familiarity with economic issues - such as how to assess health outcomes, how to assign resources efficiently and what financial arrangements will promote equity as well as efficiency - is essential to understanding health policy. This is especially so at a time when the economics of health care are being internationally re-examined, with new forms of competition, challenges to public ownership and case-mix funding of hospitals under scrutiny, and a re-evaluation of the benefits of pharmaceuticals and new technologies underway. Economics and Australian Health Policy offers this understanding to readers with and without formal economic training. It starts with an introduction to both the economic way of thinking about health systems, and the context in which those economic questions are raised - the structure of the Australian health system, its culture and its patterns of financial flows. It then describes and appraises from an economic perspective the major components of the system and the policy issues which arise. This collection has been specially commissioned to address both Australia's most pressing policy issues and the needs of public health and health economic policy-makers, academics, commentators and students. The list of contributors reads like a who's who in Australian health economics, who have been encouraged, clearly successfully, to write accessibly yet with authority and conviction.

A sound understanding of Australia’s complex health system is essential for all health professionals who work and collaborate with others in delivering health care. The fifth edition of Understanding the Australian Health Care System provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of the structure of the health system, its various functions and the various roles within it. Logically structured and easy to follow, the resource covers aspects of health system structure and function, health insurance, the PBS, complementary and alternate medicine, current governmental and legislative changes, and comparison to other high-income countries. This overview places into context the 12 health professions and their roles, emphasising the importance of interprofessional practice. Fully updated to reflect current policy, trends and environment, and how these impact on the health care system, practitioners and consumers, this book is an excellent resource for those undertaking health and medical undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Updated to reflect current policy and health environment Explores the roles of 12 health professions with a focus on inter-professional practice Case studies and accompanying video interviews with practitioners and thought leaders bring theory to life Test Bank to support learning Full range of instructor resources on Evolve Student resources on Evolve: • Discipline-specific case studies • 11 video interviews and transcripts Instructor resources on Evolve: • PowerPoints • Tutorial Planner • Test Bank Greater emphasis on interprofessional practice Considerations of the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on health care delivery and workforce New section on aged care, considering the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety New chapter on social work Includes changing scope of practice of nurse practitioners, podiatry and occupational therapy New sections on the regulation of paramedics with the introduction of Ahpra Paramedicine Board of Australia registration