Unit 2 HHD Outcome 2: Accessing and Using Health Services

Flashcards covering Unit 2 Health and Human Development Outcome 2 checklist topics: Health literacy, healthcare types, Medicare, patient rights and responsibilities, the PBS, youth access barriers, data interpretation, digital media, and SAC writing skills.

How is health literacy defined?

Health literacy refers to the degree to which individuals have the capacity to access, understand, and use health information and services to make informed decisions and navigate the health system.

How does health literacy assist individuals within the healthcare system?

It helps individuals successfully navigate the health system, understand health advice, and make informed healthcare decisions.

What is the role of a general practitioner (GP)?

A GP provides comprehensive primary healthcare, diagnoses and treats general health conditions, provides preventative care, and coordinates referrals to specialists or allied health services.

What are allied health services, and what is one example identified in the checklist?

Allied health services are clinical healthcare professions distinct from doctors and nurses that provide specialised diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitation care; an example is physiotherapy.

What are alternative health services?

Alternative health services are non-conventional, complementary health treatments and therapies used outside of or alongside mainstream medical care.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is Australia's universal health insurance scheme designed to provide affordable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare for all eligible Australians.

What types of care and services does Medicare cover or subsidise?

Medicare contributes to the costs of GP consultations, specialist consultations, and eligible diagnostic tests, and covers treatment as a public patient in a public hospital.

What are the main advantages and disadvantages of Medicare?

Advantages include increased affordability and free treatment in public hospitals. Disadvantages include waiting lists for elective procedures, gaps in cover (out-of-pocket costs), and no choice of doctor as a public patient.

What are the three funding sources of Medicare?

The Medicare levy, the Medicare levy surcharge, and general taxation.

What are key patient rights when accessing healthcare?

Patient rights include receiving respectful care, receiving clear information about treatment options, asking questions, and actively participating in decisions about their own healthcare.

What are key patient responsibilities when accessing healthcare?

Patient responsibilities include providing accurate medical information, seeking clarification if they do not understand something, and following agreed-upon treatment plans.

What key details should be prepared when studying a local youth health service?

Its name, who it supports, the specific services it provides, and two distinct ways it supports youth health and wellbeing linked to different dimensions.

What is the purpose of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)?

The PBS subsidises the cost of eligible prescription medicines to ensure that essential medications are affordable for all Australians.

What are the roles of concessional co-payments and the PBS Safety Net?

Concessional co-payments offer substantially reduced medicine costs for concession cardholders, while the PBS Safety Net protects individuals and families from excessive medication expenses by further reducing or eliminating co-payments once a specific spending threshold is met.

What barriers can delay or prevent young people from accessing health services?

Income, confidentiality concerns, appointment times and competing commitments, geographical location and distance, and lack of transport availability.

What do the highest and lowest socioeconomic status (SES) quintiles represent in health data?

SES quintiles divide the population into five equal groups based on socioeconomic measures, where the lowest quintile represents the most disadvantaged 20% and the highest quintile represents the most advantaged 20%.

What is required when interpreting and describing data from health graphs?

Identify the overall relationship or trend, support statements with accurate figures and units, and compare relevant groups directly rather than simply listing individual values.

What opportunities does digital media offer regarding health information?

It provides convenient access to reliable health information, offers dedicated support for individuals in rural areas, and uses websites and linked advice services to help people make informed health decisions.

What are the five dimensions of health and wellbeing in HHD?

Physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual health and wellbeing.

What link structure should be followed when writing strong SAC explanations linking services to outcomes?

Service or feature $\rightarrow$ how it helps $\rightarrow$ health outcome.

What common misconception should be avoided in SAC responses regarding healthcare funding?

Assuming that all healthcare in Australia is completely free or that Medicare covers every health service.