MHHS1004 FINAL EXAM Learning Outcomes

Describe the structure of acute care services in public and private hospitals

Public: funded by state/terri gov. + additional support from Commonwealth National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA). Private: mixed funding (PHI, OOPP)

Identify workforce roles and collaboration in hospital settings

Roles : Nursing (backbone of hospital), Doctors (lead clinical decision-making + treatment planning), Allied Health (support recovery + safe transitions), Administrators (ensure hospital runs smoothly and efficiently), Support Staff (maintain safe environments and operational continuity). Collaboration : interprofessional collaborative practice (shared decision-making, role clarity, and mutual respect), Multidisciplinary teams (disciplines work independently while sharing info), Interdisciplinary (members integrate expertise to create unified care plan), Collaborative Care Models (centre on patient and involve needed professionals)

Examine pressures on acute services such as wait times and capacity

Rising Demands from ageing population and chronic diseases: older patients require longer stays and complex care, Workforce Shortages and Burnout leading to unsafe staffing ratios, clinician fatigue and compromise care quality, ER Overcrowding and Access Block cause ambulance ramping, delayed treatment, and increased risk of adverse events

Reflect on strategies to improve hospital service quality and sustainability

National Safety and Quality Health Services (NSQHS) Standards ensure consistent, high quality care across hospitals (FED), Virtual Emergency Care to provide timely care and reduce pressures on physical facilities (STATE), Hospital-in-the-Home (HITH) Program to reduce inpatient load and improve patient flow (LOCAL)

Identify key mental health services and funding programs in Australia

Public MHS provide specialist programs, inpatient psychiatric care, outpatient clinics and crisis intervention, funded by the state/terri gov. Private MHS provide private hospitals, psychiatrists, psychologists, and allied health professionals, funded through Medicare and PHI.

Explain barriers to accessing mental health care, including stigma

Lack of culturally safe environment, distrust with system and geographic isolation (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples). Lack of inclusive services and fear of judgment due to stigma (public, self, or structural). Economic insecurity and stress. Lack of inclusion due to disability.

Describe policy initiatives such as the Better Access scheme

Gives Medicare benefits so people can access selected mental health treatment services (MHTS), claiming up to 10 individual and 10 group therapy MHTS per year if clinically diagnosed with mental health disorder. Services as general practitioners (GPs), prescribed medical practitioners (PMPs), psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists.

Identify health disparities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Lower life expectancy, disease burden 2.3 times higher than normal, higher rate of chronic conditions, experience traumatic MH conditions.

Explain the concept and importance of cultural safety in healthcare delivery

A holistic approach recognising health as physical, social, emotional and cultural wellbeing across the lifespan. Cultural safety allows patients to feel safe, respected and valued when asking for help, not fearing of being judged or discriminated against.

Describe targeted policies and services supporting Indigenous health

Cultural Respect Framework 2016-2026 guides health services to integrate cultural respect into governance, workforce and service delivery. Promotes accountability and culturally responsive care across all jurisdictions, requiring services to improve cultural competency and eliminate racism.

Identify major professional roles and scopes of practice in the healthcare workforce

Medical doctors, nurses, allied health, support workers, dentists, paramedics, pharmacists, podiatrists, Aboriginal health workers, general practitioners

Explain the importance of interprofessional collaboration and regulation (e.g., AHPRA)

Ensures all practitioners are qualified, competent and fit to practice, maintaining consistent standards across states and terris. It improves patient outcomes, enhances safety and quality, supports cultural safety and equity, while also is essential for universal health coverage and building a sustainable health system. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) ensures laws are applied across Australia.

Describe workforce challenges such as burnout, shortages, and rural distribution

Staff burnout due to an ageing workforce creates a demand for new workers and retention issues. Workforce distribution is highly limited in the rural regions leading to less health services available.

Describe the principles of quality and safety in healthcare

Quality is the “degree to which health services increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge” (ACSQHC 2019), Safety is minimisation of risks, harm and errors to patients during delivery. These ensure consistency of care, patient safety, accountability and continuous improvement.

Identify the roles of regulatory bodies in ensuring care standards

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) leads development of national standards, providing guidance to services on quality improvement. Collaborates with governments, clinicians and consumers to ensure standards are practical and effective.

Explain how incident reporting and continuous improvement systems work

An incident is filed or identified, immediate reduction action taken, notification, assessment done, analysis/investigation and classification done, implementation of reccs and action plan, feedback, system-wide learning and sharing.

Evaluate ethical dimensions of patient safety and professional accountability

Autonomy (respect patient’s rights), Beneficence (patient best interest), Accountability, Continuous Improvement

Recognise and discuss the importance of reporting incidents in healthcare

Encourages reporting, improves patient safety and builds trust. Creates a Blame-Free Culture including a balance of accountability and learning, focusing on system not individual

Identify current and emerging challenges in the Australian healthcare system

Workforce shortages, health disparities, rising chronic disease burden, pandemic impacts, rising costs and affordability, equity and access

Discuss how digital health, ageing populations, and climate change impact healthcare delivery

Digital health: Telehealth, Electronic Medical Records (eMRs), My Health Record. Ageing Pop: increase chronic disease burden, workforce implications, aged care services demand. Climate Change: decreases quality and durability of human life.