Australian health review : a publication of the Australian Hospital Association
-
Comparative Study
Enhancing national data to align with policy objectives: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smoking prevalence at finer geographic levels.
Objectives The aim of the study was to assess the utility of national Aboriginal survey data in a regional geospatial analysis of daily smoking prevalence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and discuss the appropriateness of this analysis for policy and program impact assessment. Methods Data from the last two Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) national surveys of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey 2014-15 (n=7022 adults) and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey 2012-13 (n=10896 adults), were used to map the prevalence of smoking by Indigenous regions. Results Daily smoking prevalence in 2014-15 at Indigenous regions ranges from 27.1% (95%CI 18.9-35.3) in the Toowoomba region in Queensland to 68.0% (95%CI 58.1-77.9) in the Katherine region in the Northern Territory. ⋯ What does this paper add? This paper provides new insights into the use of national survey data for understanding regional patterns and prevalence levels of smoking in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. What are the implications for practitioners? The findings of the study suggest caution when interpreting prevalence maps and highlight the need for greater sample sizes in national survey data. The analysis is also an opportunity to assess the use of national survey data in evaluating the policy impact of programs targeted at a regional level.
-
Objective The aim of the present study was to determine the rates of re-referral to specialist out-patient clinics for patients previously managed and discharged from an advanced practice physiotherapy-led service in three metropolitan hospitals. Methods A retrospective audit was undertaken of 462 patient cases with non-urgent musculoskeletal conditions discharged between 1 April 2014 and 30 March 2015 from three metropolitan hospitals. These patients had been discharged from the physiotherapy-led service without requiring specialist medical review. ⋯ Although this model is widely used in Australia, there has been very little information about whether patients managed in these services subsequently re-present for further specialist medical care. What does this paper add? This paper identifies that the majority (95%) of patients managed by an advanced practice physiotherapy-led service did not re-present for further medical care for the same condition within 12 months of discharge. What are the implications for practitioners? This paper supports the use of advanced practice physiotherapy-led services in the management of overburdened neurosurgical and orthopaedic specialist out-patient waiting lists.
-
Objectives The aims of the present study were to examine tenants' experiences of a model of integrated health care and supportive housing and to identify whether integrated health care and supportive housing improved self-reported health and healthcare access. Methods The present study used a mixed-method survey design (n=75) and qualitative interviews (n=20) performed between September 2015 and August 2016. Participants were tenants of permanent supportive housing in Brisbane (Qld, Australia). ⋯ What does the paper add? The experience of homelessness creates barriers to accessing adequate health care. The provision of onsite multidisciplinary integrated health care in permanent supportive housing enabled illness self-management and greater control over lifestyle, and was associated with self-reported improved health and life satisfaction in formerly homeless tenants. What are the implications for practitioners? Integrated health care and supportive housing for the formerly homeless can improve self-reported health outcomes, enable healthier lifestyle choices and facilitate pathways into more appropriate and effective health care.
-
Objective Hospital emergency departments (ED) in Australia and internationally have been experiencing increased demand, resulting in reduced hospital quality, impaired access and adverse health outcomes. Effective evaluation of new ED service models and their effect on outcomes is reliant on baseline measures of the staffing configuration and organisational characteristics of the EDs being studied. The aim of the present study was to comprehensively measure these variables in Australian EDs. ⋯ National uptake of these service and workforce innovations is unknown. What does this paper add? The present study is the most comprehensive to date profiling Australian EDs covering hospital characteristics, workforce configuration, operational models and NP service patterns and practice. What are the implications for practitioners? Information from the present study will assist health service planners to evaluate workforce and service reform models, and to monitor trends in emergency service development.
-
Objective Faced with longstanding and increasing demand for specialist out-patient appointments that was unable to be met through usual medical consultant led care, Metro North Hospital and Health Service in 2014-15 established 11 allied health primary contact out-patient models of care. Methods The models involved six different allied health professions and nine specialist out-patient departments. Results All the allied health models have been endorsed for continuation following demonstration of their contribution to managing demand on specialist out-patient services. ⋯ What does this paper add? This paper describes the establishment of 11 allied health primary contact models of care in speciality out-patient areas including Ear, Nose and Throat, Gynaecology, Urology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics and Plastic Surgery, and involving speech pathologists, audiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and podiatrists as primary contact practitioners. Observations of enablers for and challenges to implementation are presented as key lessons. What are the implications for practitioners? The new allied health primary contact models of care described in this paper should be considered by health service executives, allied health leaders and specialist out-patient departments as one strategy to address unacceptably long specialist wait lists.