Unit 2 AOS 2
General practitioners, allied health services and alternative health services
Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Local community services supporting youth health and wellbeing
Rights and responsibilities of accessing healthcare
Access to health services and information
Digital media and health and wellbeing
Health system complaints
Health literacy relates to how people access, understand and use health information and services in ways that promote and maintain health and wellbeing. A high level of health literacy is strongly linked to improved health outcomes. (VCAA)
General practitioners, allied health services and alternative health services
General Practitioners | Allied Health Services | Alternative Health Services |
A doctor who has a wide range of skills and looks after the health of most people in the community. Information provided to a GP is confidential unless the patient indicates a risk of harm to themselves or others. | Health professionals outside the medical, dental and nursing professions | Healthcare that can be used instead of or alongside traditional health services |
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These services can be costly and are not usually or completely covered by Medicare |
Some alternative health services require practitioners to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), requiring insurance, criminal history checks, English language standards, and ongoing professional development. |
Accessing a trusted GP will give young people knowledge about a health condition, as well as some skills in managing their own health. They can also develop greater confidence in taking responsibility for their own health, all of which increase their health literacy. | Consulting a range of allied health services can result in more expert care in a specific area and can increase health literacy as young people can ask questions and take information away from their consultation. Often allied health services can feel less formal and more relaxed and youth-friendly than GP clinics. This increases the likelihood of young people seeking the help they need to maintain their health and wellbeing. | Risks: Because some alternative health services are self-regulated, their benefits may be untested and young people risk spending money on ineffective treatments. Benefits: Carefully chosen alternative and allied health services provide significant benefits, including stress relief through yoga, improved mental health. |
Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
| Medicare | PBS | NDIS |
Definition | Australia’s universal health insurance scheme that provides subsidised healthcare to Australians, permanent residents and people from countries with reciprocal agreements. | A key component of the federal government’s health system that subsidises medicines, so people can access essential medicines regardless of their ability to pay. | A government insurance scheme that provides funding for services and supports to eligible Australians with a disability. |
Funded by | General taxation, the Medicare levy and Medicare levy surcharge | Federal government pays the remaining cost after the patient co-payment | Australian Government |
Medicare coverage | Covers some or all of GP and specialist consultations, medical tests/ examinations, x-rays, pathology and eye tests. Public hospital treatment and accommodation are fully covered. | Not Medicare coverage (PBS provides a subsidy for prescription medicines.) | Not Medicare coverage (provides funding for disability-related services and supports) |
Safety net | Medicare Safety Net: provides extra financial support once an individual/family reaches a certain level of out-of-pocket expenses for out-of-hospital services | PBS Safety Net: once a person/family spends a certain amount on PBS medicines in a calendar year, they pay a lower co-payment. | Not applicable |
Not covered | Ambulance, home nursing, most dental services for adults, glasses/contact lenses/hearing aids, alternative health services, some private hospital costs and cosmetic surgery. | Medicines not listed on the PBS require the patient to pay the full amount. | People who do not meet the eligibility requirements are not covered. |
Advantages | Reduces the cost of essential medical services; available to Australian citizens; covers doctors, specialists and tests; Safety Net provides extra financial support. | Makes essential medicines more affordable, increasing access regardless of ability to pay; Safety Net provides further protection from large medicine costs. | Provides funding for supports such as transport, speech pathology, educational support, mobility equipment and in-home care, helping people live more independently |
Disadvantages | Waiting lists, no choice of doctor for in-hospital treatment, does not cover alternative/allied health services and may not cover the full cost of a doctor's visit. | Some medicines are not covered by the PBS, meaning patients must pay the full price | Only people who meet the eligibility criteria can access it; eligibility requires to be an Australian citizen, have a permanent and significant disability and being under 65 when first applying. |
Bulk billing occurs when a doctor accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment, meaning the patient has no out-of-pocket expense. (Medicare only)
Patient co-payment: the payment made by the consumer for health products or services in addition to the amount paid by the government
Local community services supporting youth health and wellbeing
Rights and responsibilities of accessing healthcare
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.
Where there are out-of-pocket expenses, it is the responsibility of the patient to ensure that all expenses are paid in the required time frame.
medical confidentiality means that anything discussed between a doctor and a patient must be kept private
privacy in medicine means that all information relating to a patient, including their personal details and any stored information, must not be shared
Exemptions to privacy laws:
if the patient or someone else’s health and wellbeing or safety are seriously threatened (for example, if a patient is unconscious and a paramedic, doctor or nurse needs to know whether the patient is allergic to any drugs)
when the information will reduce or prevent a serious threat to public health or safety (for example, warning the public if there is an outbreak of a serious contagious illness).
My Health Record:
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. It is accessible to individuals (and their family if under 18 years old) and healthcare providers.
Many Australians chose to opt out of the scheme due to concerns about the safety and privacy of their online health information.
Access to health service and information
Digital media and health and wellbeing
Digital media: any form of media that uses electronic devices for distribution. It can encompass a wide array of content and distribution methods.
Mobile apps and general health and wellbeing websites
Technology-based patient consultations (telehealth)
Internet search engines
Symptom checkers
Opportunities for health and wellbeing created by digital media:
Australians living in rural and remote areas
Cost
Language barriers
Challenge for health and wellbeing created by digital media:
Reliability and validity of information
Low health literacy
Self-diagnosis (Cyberchondria)
Health system complaints
The HCC manage complaints related to:
access to services
quality and safety
care and attention
respect, dignity and consideration
communication about treatment, options and costs
the level of involvement in healthcare decisions
access, privacy and confidentiality of personal health information
complaint handling by the health service provider.
Outcomes a person may be able to obtain are:
an explanation about what happened, and why it happened
an apology
access to treatment
access or amendment to health records
a refund or compensation
a change in policy or practice to prevent future problems.
The complaint process: