Health Status of the Australian Population - Research Paper Example

Running Head: Research on health status of the Australian population Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Coarse Code and Name: Institution: Date Submitted:  Research on health status of the Australian population Australian population has observed major changes in the health sector. Owing to the challenges faced, and benefits instilled in the health center, I set out to conduct a preliminary research to evaluate some of the issues prominent in the health care system of the country for a clear analysis later and more research on the identified issues. In conducting the research on health issues in the mainstream of Australian population, interviews were used. To conduct the interviews appropriately, a sample was generated to include members of the society and gain information from them. The sample generated included members working within the Australian medical centers. A colleague directed me in identifying some of his work mates at their local medical center and two participants engaged in the interviews to facilitate the research. Two members from the health insurance of the country were also included as part of the sample in order to give an in-depth analysis of health issues. One member from the government in the department of health also participated in the research to make five people who would engage in the research for a comprehensive analysis of healthcare issues. The questions identified were posted to the respondents in the interview process and answers derived were written down for later analysis. The interviews were conducted in the desired place of meeting for convenience purposes and flexibility was upheld to give ample time to the interview to derive adequate information. The preset questions were of use in the research interviews, which one by one I sought answers and concentrated deeper to have authenticated and genuine answers from the respondents. From the interviews, the major question posted was on the main issues that hit the country as a challenge in the health center. The questions posted include; what are the main issues facing the Australian health system today? Are they amenable to being improved and how? Who is responsible? What is the relationship between the health system and health status? What are the main aims relating to the health status of the Australian population? How does this include marginal or minority groups? Is health status related to the services provided by the health system? I sought for answers for the questions one by one and left open ended for the respondents to give as much information as possible on the topic. Out of the answers derived from the respondents, there were mixed feelings on healthcare issues in the country. The response included both negative and positive answers on the healthcare issues in the country. Some of the most featured issues included shortage of nurses in the Australian health care (Karen, 2008), introduction of new technologies (Abdul, 2009) that have made service more efficient and a better insurance system in healthcare that has posed as an advantage for the entire population in handling healthcare issues. After identifying the relevant domains of influence in the Australian health status of its population literature review was important to verify the issues raised and authenticate the research findings. The key search terms in the literature review are nursing shortage in Australia, new technologies in the healthcare system and insurance policies of the country on healthcare. From a latest conference by medics in the Australian healthcare system, action by now is required more for research to solve the country’s unsustainable drain of nurses to sustain the healthcare system. The Australian Health Workforce Institute (AHWI) released latest findings of a three-month project on nursing in Australia to reveal the condition of the profession in Australia. The research indicated that the nurses’ average age had increased (Karen, 2008) from 40 to 45 in the current year. The percentage of nurses registered with over 55 years of age rose from 11 to 20 in 2005. The report further indicated that 14 per cent of the workforce in nursing retires after every five years, with an approximated 90,000 nurses retires expected between now and the year 2020. It was a clear indication that the country is running short of nurses and soon might spell doom in the healthcare provision. The research also indicated that one in five nurses in Australia worked 45 hours or even more in a week, an approximated 49 per cent of nurses worked part-time and only an approximated 70 per cent of qualified nurses actually worked as nurses (Karen, 2008). More literature from a QNU Federal Budget submission in January 2009 details the worsening conditions and the demeaning workforce of nurses in Australia. The report indicated that in Queensland, there is a serious shortage of nurses across private and public hospitals as well as within other aged care facilities (Karen, 2008). The report quotes negligence and inadequate retention strategies as the key to the failure that currently is leading to nurse shortage. From the Department of Education reports in 2008, it is quoted that in Queensland currently, there are shortages in the crucial areas of nursing within hospitals including critical/intensive care, accident and emergency, midwifery, aged care, mental health, community care, and indigenous health. The report added that significant migration to the country and its high demand on health services in the southeast corner are the major causes of these shortages (Karen, 2008).  The Australian department of health recently held a press conference and declared its interest in advancing its technology for bettering delivery of services (Athey, 2002). The conference passed that adopting new technologies was necessary in addressing the country’s health issues. Currently, wireless technology is under assessment in many Australian healthcare centers with limited scope that addresses specific aspects of healthcare quality of service for respective stakeholders (Abdul, 2009). Prior studies agreed that wireless applications potential could address the endemic problems in the healthcare sector and therefore many centers have agreed in the wireless applications in their healthcare sectors (Athey, 2002). It is clear from the healthcare centers that investment in information and communication technology brought in dynamic effects in healthcare provision (Abdul, 2009). The investments are showing fruits currently with many healthcare institutions reporting high quality of services, increased productivity, and development of new healthcare processes (Athey, 2002). Recently, operators, decision makers, the strategists, and other stakeholders have come to realize the potential of using information communication technology (ICT) in the healthcare sector (Abdul, 2009). They have therefore appreciated wireless technology as the best opportunity to address many issues and problems that the healthcare sector faces today. ICT is currently addressing some of the issues for instance quality of care, shortages of human resources, reduction in funding, reduction in cost, reduction in errors, and high satisfaction levels among employees and customers (Athey, 2002). The insurances have proved of relevance easing the state of the country’s scarcity of resources in providing healthcare. A report by the finance department in the country indicated that in the 12-month period between 2004 and 2005, Medicare provided an average 11.7 services per Australian (Medicare Australia, 2007). The services included an approximated 4.9 Un-referred medical attendances including emergency attendances, GP services, group therapy, other prolonged attendances, and acupuncture. Other services include Specialist attendances. Medicare provided benefits in healthcare for at least 236.3 million services, which represented an increase of close to 4.4% over the 226.4 million in 2003–04. This increase resulted from the country’s population growth that was at 1.1% and increase in the items per person indicated to be 3.1% (Medicare Australia, 2007). Australia’s universal scheme of health insurance came into operation within the country on 1 February 1984 through Medicare Australia that was formerly, Health Insurance Commission. The scheme provides subsidized or free treatment by medical practitioners for the registered citizens of the country (Medicare Australia, 2007). Services delivery is by a practice nurse who acts on behalf of a GP as well as other allied health practitioners. All Australian residents are very eligible for Medicare and can have the benefits at any time provided they qualify. Majority of Australian taxpayers agreed to contribute to the Medicare cost through a Medicare levy (Medicare Australia, 2007), which accounts for 1.5% of taxable income. The method is rampant and popular among many Australians making it effective in providing healthcare for every Australian regardless of the level of income of the capacity to afford the treatment. Medicare pays up to 100% (Medicare Australia, 2007) of the schedule fee for all GP consultations in healthcare centers and up to 85% for all customer services provided by medical specialists. It is an effective approach in Australia currently in providing affordable healthcare for all (Medicare Australia, 2007). Conclusion From the literature review, the interview results are justified showing their relevance and helping in understanding more on the healthcare status in Australia. From the data gathered the three most apparent issues of healthcare included shortage of nurses, introduction of new technologies in healthcare and efficiency of the insurance companies in the country on matter of healthcare. The literature review indicated clearly that nurses have reduced in number in Australia force a recall of retirees and more working hours for the present nurses. Introduction of the wireless handheld devices in the system is a good indication that technology has featured in Australian healthcare and improved the service delivery. Finally, the Medicare insurance introduced in the country has been a relief for many and a source of affordable healthcare for all in Australia. References Abdul, G. (2009). Exploratory study to understand the phenomena of adoption of wireless handheld devices in the Australian healthcare system. Journal of Systems and Information Technology. V 11 (1) 43-56. Athey, S. (2002) the impact of information technology on emergency health care outcomes. RAND Journal of Economics, 33, 399-388. Karen, D. (2008). Australia faces major nurse shortage. Retrieved 22 October 2008, from, http://news.theage.com.au/national/australia-faces-major-nurse-shortage- 20081022-569d.html Medicare Australia (2007). "How does Medicare work?" Retrieved 02 November 2007, from, http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/register/how-works.shtml. Read More