Australian health review : a publication of the Australian Hospital Association
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This paper, which is based on the preliminary findings of the Australian Midwifery Action Project (AMAP), outlines the issues around the midwifery labour force and education in Australia. One of the most alarming features is the lack of comprehensive data on midwives. ⋯ It is difficult to form a national picture with published sources of data because there are differences in definition and a lack of relevant information. Strategies for educational reform are discussed in relation to improving the supply and preparation of midwives.
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The Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee (AMWAC) was established by the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC) in 1995 to provide information and analysis to AHMAC and the profession about the medical workforce to inform the policy process. This article provides a brief history of the events leading to the formation of AMWAC and of the work of this committee, particularly its approach to medical workforce planning and the outcomes of some of its research. The paper concludes that the forces leading to and maintaining workforce geographic and structural maldistribution are better understood as a result of AMWAC studies and the work of other stakeholders. Further research is required to improve understanding of the hospital medical workforce and the factors influencing the career decisions of young doctors and to monitor the impact of strategies to improve workforce distribution.
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Outpatient and emergency services in rural hospitals have rarely been studied. This paper analyses routinely collected data, together with data from a survey of hospitals, to provide a picture of these services in Victorian public hospitals. ⋯ Cost per service varies with the size of the hospital, possibly reflecting differences in complexity. Funding policies for rural hospital outpatient and emergency services should be sufficiently flexible to take into account the differences between rural hospitals.
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This paper explores the development, implementation and evaluation of the Australian Aboriginal trainee health service management program in New South Wales. In 1997, the two-year pilot program commenced with ten trainees. The program consisted of a combination of work-based placements, formal university education and Australian College of Health Service Executives (ACHSE) professional development sessions. The program has allowed trainees to gain professional skills and knowledge and broader work experience, in order to increase their employment opportunities throughout the Australian health care system.