Australian health review : a publication of the Australian Hospital Association
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Objective The Indigenous Burden of Disease (IBoD) report is the most comprehensive assessment of Indigenous disease burden in Australia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential effect of the IBoD report on Australian Indigenous health policy, service expenditure and research funding. Findings have significance for understanding factors that may influence Indigenous health policy. ⋯ It contains analyses of data from readily available sources, examining national expenditures on Indigenous health and NHMRC Indigenous research, before and after the publication of the IBoD report. What are the implications for practitioners? The paper is relevant to analysts interested in drivers of Indigenous health policy. Although it finds correlations between the release of the IBoD report and some subsequent health spending decisions, other factors should be investigated to better understand the complexity of processes that drive government efforts to improve Indigenous health.
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Background Over the last decade, paediatric referrals from general practitioners (GPs) to the emergency department (ED) have increased by 60% in Australia. Objective To investigate the characteristics of Victorian children referred by GPs to the ED with lower-urgency conditions. Method Data were collected from four hospital EDs in Victoria, May-November 2014. ⋯ What is known about the topic? Paediatric referrals in Australia from GPs to EDs have increased in the last decade, along with the absolute number of children in Victoria presenting to the ED. What does this paper add? A significant number of children (66%) who attend the GP before visiting the ED are referred to the ED for their lower urgency condition. What are the implications for practitioners? It may be appropriate for GPs to be further supported to manage lower urgency conditions, through better resources or education.
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Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a high-speed telemonitoring project for older people with chronic disease in a regional Australian town. Participants' vital signs were monitored and triaged daily by a telehealth nurse. Methods A prospective, uncontrolled study design evaluated the effect of home-based telemonitoring on older people with chronic disease. ⋯ What this paper adds? Our research demonstrates that older people with limited experience of technology can be taught to successfully use telehealth equipment. We observed regular contact with telehealth nurses enables health promoting behaviour messages to be tailored to patients' needs. What are the implications for practitioners? Providing older people with tailored health support alongside an understanding of vital signs readings can enhance self-efficacy.
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Objective The medical record is critical for documentation and communication between healthcare professionals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate important aspects of the orthopaedic medical record and system performance to determine whether any deficiencies exist in these areas. Methods Review of 200 medical records of surgically treated traumatic lower limb injury patients was undertaken. ⋯ What are the implications for practitioners? The present study shows that there is a poor level of documentation and a standard of out-patient review below what is expected. The implications of these findings will be to highlight current deficiencies to practitioners and promote change in current practice to improve the quality of medical record documentation among medical staff. Further, the findings of poor system performance will promote change in the current system of delivering out-patient care to patients.