HHD australias health care

General practitioners definition

a doctor who has a wide range of skills and looks after the health of most people in the community.

General practitioners Examples of service

-Diagnosis and treatment

-Family and general practice
-Information and advice

-Referrals to specialist health professionals

General practitioners impact on health literacy and health outcomes

Youth health literacy can be increased greatly by asking questions and seeking information and advice from a GP.
Accessing trusted GP give youth knowledge about a health condition and skills in managing their own health

Allied health services definition

health professionals outside the medical, dental and nursing

professions.

Allied health services Examples of service

• counselling and psychology

• nutrition

• optometry

• podiatry

• pharmacy.

Allied health services impact on health literacy and health outcomes

-Often allied health services feel less formal and more relaxed and youth-friendly than GP clinics. Increasing likelihood of youth seeking the help they need to maintain health and wellbeing.

Alternative health services definition

healthcare that can be used instead of or alongside traditional health services

Alternative health services Examples of service

• homeopathy and naturopathy

• massage therapy

• yoga and Pilates

• Chinese traditional medicine.

Alternative health services impact on health literacy and health outcomes

-Many health benefits include stress relief, improved mental health and wellbeing and a sense of peace and harmony from activity increasing spiritual health and wellbeing.

Australia’s health care system

Is the responsibility of all levels of government — federal, state and local — as well as the private sector. It is comparable to other developed nations with regard to its structure and function, and generally provides a high level of care which ensures good health and wellbeing outcomes for Australians.

two key aspects of Australia’s healthcare system that aim to increase access to healthcare for all Australians

Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

The scheme specifically aimed at improving the lives of Australians with permanent and significant disability is

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

What is Medicare?

Medicare is Australia’s universal health insurance scheme. Medicare gives all Australians, permanent residents and people from countries with a reciprocal agreement access to healthcare that is subsidised by the federal government. Medicare aims to provide access to affordable basic healthcare.

To access Medicare, all Australian citizens are entitled to a Medicare card. Children are listed on their parents’ card and at the age of 15 individuals may register for their own Medicare card.

What does Medicare cover? Out of hospital

costs for services such as doctors, specialists, tests and x-rays

Medicare will pay all or some of the fees relating to many essential healthcare services. This includes consultation fees for general practitioners and specialists.

What does Medicare cover? In hospital

costs for treatment and accommodation in a public hospital.

As a public patient in a public hospital, in-hospital expenses such as treatment by doctors and specialists are completely covered by Medicare, including initial treatment and aftercare. The cost of staying in a public hospital is also completely covered by Medicare.

What is not covered by Medicare?

• ambulance services

• home nursing care or treatment

• dental examinations and treatments for those over 18 who can meet their own costs

• glasses, contact lenses or hearing aids

• alternative health services, such as acupuncture

• cosmetic surgery.

What is the Medicare safety net?

Ensures that people who require frequent services covered by Medicare, such as doctor’s visits and tests, receive additional financial support.

What is a schedule fee?

the amount that Medicare contributes towards certain consultations and treatments. The government decides what each item is worth and that’s what Medicare pays.

What is a patient co-payment?

the payment made by the consumer for health products or services in addition to the amount paid by the government

What are out of pocket expenses?

costs that patients must pay themselves

What is Bulk Billing?

when the doctor or specialist charges only the Schedule

fee. The payment is claimed directly from Medicare, so there are no out-of-pocket expenses for the patient.

Advantages of Medicare

• Reduced cost for essential medical services including free

treatment and accommodation in a public hospital

• Choice of doctor for out-of-hospital services

• Available to all Australian citizens

Disadvantages of Medicare

• No choice of doctor for in-hospital treatments

• Waiting lists for many treatments

• Does not cover alternative therapies or allied

health services

• Often does not cover the full amount of a

doctor’s visit

What is the Medicare levy?

2 per cent tax for most Australian taxpayers to fund Medicare

What is the Medicare levy surcharge?

an additional 1–1.5 per cent tax on high-income earners who do not

have private health insurance

What is the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and what does it do?

The (PBS) is a government funded scheme which subsidises essential medicines for Australians with a Medicare card. The aim of the PBS is to provide essential medicines to people who need them regardless of their ability to pay. Makes medicines more affordable to the public.

PBS safety net definition

ensures that people who spend a large amount of money on Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medications receive additional financial support.

What is the NDIS

a government insurance scheme that provides funding for services and supports to eligible Australians with a disability. The goal of the NDIS is to allow Australians with a permanent and significant disability to live as independently and fully as possible.

Funding from the NDIS provides access to supports such as

• daily personal activities requiring in-home care

• transport

• workplace assistance or assistive technologies

• home or vehicle modifications

• help with household tasks

• mobility equipment

• speech pathology

• educational support.

List the 6 community services

-Doctors, dentists, hospitals
-Sports or recreational clubs
-headspace
-Places of worship
-Volunteer organisations
-Secondary School Immunisation Program

What does the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights outline?

Outlines the rights of patients, consumers and other people using the Australian healthcare system.

These rights are essential to ensure that no matter where healthcare is provided within Australia, it is of high quality and is safe for patients and practitioners

The aim of the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights is to

to allow patients, families, carers and service providers to have a common understanding of the rights of people receiving healthcare.

The charter of heathcare rights has three guiding principals. Outline them

1. Everyone has the right to access healthcare and this right is essential for the charter to be meaningful

2. The Australian government commits to international agreements about human rights, which recognise everyone’s right to have the highest possible standard of physical and mental health and wellbeing

3. Australia is made up of people with different cultures and ways of life, and the charter acknowledges and respects these differences

The 7 healthcare rights

-Sam Ate Rice, Pasta , Peas In Green
-Safety
-Access
-Respect
-Partnership
-Privacy
-Information
-Give feedback

Patient rights

• information about their diagnosis

• information from the doctor or health service on the costs of the proposed treatment, including any likely out-of-pocket expenses

• seek other medical opinions about their condition

• information on visiting arrangements for family and friends while they are in hospital

• privacy of and access to their own medical records

• treatment with respect and dignity

• care and support from nurses and allied health professionals

• participate in decisions about their care

• make a comment or complaint about any aspect of their hospital or medical treatment.

Patient Responsibilities

• provide information about their past and present illnesses, hospitalisations, medications and other matters relating to their health history

• ask questions when they do not understand explanations given about the risks and benefits of the proposed healthcare, treatments or procedures

• follow the instructions and medical orders of their doctors, nurses and medical support staff to bring about the best outcomes from treatment

• report any safety concerns immediately to their doctor, nurse or healthcare support staff

• treat medical staff with respect

• ask questions about costs before treatment.

Describe My Health Record

is an online summary of an individual’s key health information, recorded from visits to GPs and specialists, Medicare claims, pharmacy prescriptions and the results of tests and scans.

Explain why many Australians chose to opt out of using My health Record

Due to concerns about the safety and privacy of their online health information.

Define ‘medical confidentiality’

A set of rules that means that anything discussed between a doctor and patient must be kept private.

Define ‘privacy’

what a patient tells their doctor, any information the doctor stores, medications prescribed and any other personal information is kept private.

Exemptions to privacy laws

• if the patient or someone else’s health and wellbeing or safety are seriously threatened

• when the information will reduce or prevent a serious threat to public health or safety

Medicare is Australia’s universal health insurance scheme. 

Describe the impact of Medicare on youth health literacy.

Medicare improves youth health literacy by increasing access to affordable healthcare services, allowing young people to seek medical advice, treatments, and preventive care without significant financial barriers.This accessibility encourages early engagement with the health system, enabling youth to better understand their health, learn about available medical options, and make informed health decisions.

Outline one similarity and one difference between the Medicare Safety Net and the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme Safety Net.

Both the Medicare Safety Net and the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme Safety Net ensure that people who spend a large amount of money on health care or medication receive extra financial support by having these services and items heavily subsidised once a certain threshold has been met.

One difference between the Medicare Safety Net and the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme Safety Net is that you spend a higher amount on health care to activate the Medicare Safety Net, whereas you spend a lower amount of money on pharmaceuticals to activate the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme Safety Net.

Describe how geographical location is a factor that affects the ability of youth to access health services and information.

Geographical location refers to where individuals live, such as urban, rural, or remote areas.Youth in rural or remote locations often face barriers to accessing health services and information due to limited healthcare facilities, fewer specialists, and longer travel times. This can result in delays in receiving care, reduced preventative health opportunities, and difficulty accessing accurate health information.

Using an example, describe the term digital media technology and its impact on health and wellbeing. 

Digital media technology refers to electronic platforms that create, share, or access information, such as apps, social media, and wearable devices.For example, fitness apps like MyFitnessPal help individuals track energy intake, monitor workouts, and optimise nutrition plans tailored to their fitness goals.By providing personalised insights, setting reminders, and tracking progress, these tools motivate users to engage in consistent physical activity directly supporting individuals to reach their peak physical fitness.