M1 Topic 1: What is healthcare? Flashcards
What is health?
A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
What are the two concepts of healthcare?
The healthcare system and the action of providing care
Healthcare system
All the activities that promote, restore or maintain health
Healthcare action
Action of providing care in a health setting
Federal government regulation in healthcare
- Sets national policies
- Manages medicare
- Funds the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
- Supports access to and regulates private health insurance
- Funds medical research
- Regulates medicines, devices and blood
- Organises health services for veterans
State and territory government regulation in healthcare
More responsible for healthcare service operations
- Manage public hospitals
- License private hospitals
- Responsible for public community based and primary health services
- Deliver preventative services (cancer screening & immunisation programs)
- Ambulance services
- Handles complaints about the health services
Shared responsibilities between federal and state governments
- Regulation of health workforce
- Education & training of health professionals
- Regulation of pharmaceuticals & pharmacies
- Supports improvements in safety & quality in healthcare
- Funding of public health programs and services
- Funding of the ATSI health services
Universal healthcare model
The cost of receiving healthcare is covered by the govt.
- Medicare
- PBS
Fee-for-service model
Private patients pay for their healthcare services directly
- If patients have taken out private health insurance, they may receive reimbursement for some of these costs
Role and function of AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
Ensure registered health practitioners are suitably trained, qualified, and safe to practice
- Registration
- Accreditation
- Notifications
- Compliance
- Setting professional standards
Role of the Medical Radiations Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA)
Define minimum level of professional capabilities an individual must be able to demonstrate in order to become registered as a med rad practitioner
Impact of AUS geographical size on healthcare system
Regional and remote patients = less access to advanced technology and products
Hard to develop system where all patients have the same ability to access advanced and new technologies irrespective of who they are and where they live
28% of pop live in regional and remote areas
Importance of service delivery
Needs to be cost-effective, waste-minimisation, ensuring all patients receive the right care at the right time
Primary care services
Generally initial point of contact for patients
- GP
- Dentists
- Nurse practitioner
- Community pharmacist
Secondary care network
Offers more specialised healthcare
- Specialist doctor
- Hospital procedures (may have emergency department (ED))
- Allied health providers
Tertiary care network
Generally delivered in larger hospitals
- Complex treatments/conditions
- ED
- Academic linkage
Hospital admission
Legal process of initially assessing, documenting and planning a patient’s healthcare needs
Ensures they receive required treatment and care
In-patient
Once admitted to hospital, they are called an in-patient and must be formally discharged when ready
Discharge
Formal process of transitioning patients care from hospital to home or another care setting
Out-patient
Patient who is receiving care outside of hospital setting (e.g. visiting the GP)
Who can refer or request a Medical Radiation Procedure in Australia?
“Authorised persons”
Can be…
- GP’s
- Other specialist medical doctors
