Health Information, Digital Media, and Complaints Study Notes

Health Information, Digital Media, and Complaints

Unit Overview

  • Unit 2 AOS 2 Chapter 11

Key Knowledge and Key Skills

Key Knowledge

  • Factors affecting youth’s access to health services and information

  • Opportunities and challenges presented by digital media in the provision of youth health and wellbeing information

    • Examples: websites, online practitioners, digital health apps

  • Critique sources of health information and health services

  • Options for consumer complaint and redress within the health services

Key Skills

  • Identify and explain factors affecting youth's access to health services.

  • Critique sources of health information and health services.

  • Explain options for consumer complaint and redress within the health system.

Factors Affecting Access to Health Services

FIGURE 11.1: Factors Affecting Access to Health

  • Access to Health Services and Information

    • Cultural Factors

    • Complicated System and Health Literacy

    • Cost

    • Geographic Location

    • Confidentiality

    • Schedule/Time Constraints

Cost

  • Barrier Example: Cost of accessing healthcare can be prohibitive for youth

    • Example: Standard GP consultation (20 mins) = $75 in 2023

    • Medicare rebate: $40 leads to out-of-pocket expense for youth = $35

      • Significant cost for many young people

  • Specialist Costs: May reach several hundred dollars, particularly for non-Medicare covered services.

  • Bulk Billing: Availability of bulk billing helps make healthcare affordable for youth.

  • Medication Costs: Prescribed medications can also present a cost barrier for low-income youth.

Private Health Insurance (PHI)

  • Coverage: Covers some costs not attributed to Medicare.

  • Efficiency: Can speed up access to specialists and surgeries.

  • Challenge: Expensive and may be unaffordable for many young individuals resulting in long wait times for public services.

  • 2022-23 ABS Data:

    • 10% of people aged 15 and over delayed seeing a specialist due to cost.

    • 7% of young people delayed or did not see a GP due to cost (increased from 3.5% in 2021-22).

    • Females more likely to delay using health services due to cost.

Confidentiality

  • Barrier: Many youth express concerns about privacy regarding their healthcare.

    • Fears about providers disclosing information to parents or acquaintances.

    • Increased anxiety for youth in rural areas due to recognizable community connections.

  • Embarrassment: Youth may avoid discussing personal health matters due to fear of judgment.

Schedule and Time Constraints

  • School and Work Conflicts: Youth often struggle to access health services due to daytime scheduling of appointments.

    • Challenges with telehealth due to flexible clinic hours and long waiting periods.

    • High school students perhaps reluctant to miss classes or assessments.

Geographic Location

  • Population Distribution: Majority of Australians live in urban areas with good access; rural and remote areas have limited services.

    • A significant one-third of the population in rural areas faces barriers due to distance, leading to missed appointments or lost educational/work opportunities.

  • Limited Resources: Fewer doctors, specialists, and hospitals, along with less advanced technology.

Complicated Health System and Health Literacy

  • Navigational Barriers: Youth report difficulty in navigating the healthcare system, which may inhibit usage.

    • Issues booking appointments, using Medicare cards, and understanding referral processes.

  • Medicare Application: Challenges in applying for personal Medicare cards can hinder confidential access to services.

  • Government Initiative: Development of the myGov app which includes features like facial recognition to ease accessibility.

  • General Health Literacy: Lower levels are commonly observed leading to difficulties in comprehending available health information.

    • Associated with decreased preventative health measures, such as vaccinations and medication management.

  • Critical Evaluation of Health Information: Youth with low health literacy may struggle to assess the reliability of health information.

Cultural Factors

  • Barriers: Cultural elements impacting healthcare access include:

    • Language barriers, religious beliefs, and cultural expectations.

    • Language difficulties significantly reduce access, compounded by unavailability of culturally safe environments.

  • Parental Assistance: Young people with cultural barriers may lack parental support in navigating health services.

Digital Media and Health and Wellbeing

Definition of Digital Media

  • Digital Media: Refers to media formats digitally transmitted or stored on electronic devices, including:

    • Websites

    • Mobile apps

    • Social media

    • Games

    • Data and databases

    • Digital audio (e.g., MP3)

    • Digital images and video

    • Computer software

    • E-books

    • Virtual reality

Applications of Digital Media in Health

  • Expansion of digital media offers diverse avenues for health information dissemination.

  • Technology-Based Patient Consultations: Telehealth involves the use of video conferencing or telecommunication, providing healthcare access without needing in-person attendance.

    • Telehealth enhances access, particularly beneficial for those in remote areas, though not suitable when physical examination is necessary.

  • Symptom Checkers: Various platforms provide self-assessment for symptoms, informing users of appropriate intervention or service decisions.

    • Australian Examples:

    • Healthdirect: Symptom checker advising next steps based on user symptoms.

    • myDr: Provides information based on selected symptoms.

    • mayoclinic.org: Reliable international symptom checker.

  • Mobile Health Apps: Users can access specific health topics, helping in areas like allergies, physical activity, and reproductive health.

    • Example Apps: Calm (meditation), headspace (mindfulness), and MyFitnessPal (fitness tracking).

Benefits of Digital Media

  • Increased Information Exposure: Digital media allows youth increased access to health information efficiently and discreetly.

  • Remote Healthcare Access: Eases constraints for those in rural areas needing health services.

  • Cost-Effective: Free health resources available online reduce barriers related to appointment costs.

  • Cultural Sensitivity: Multi-language websites or online translators assist non-English speakers in accessing crucial health information.

  • Support Groups: Online platforms provide connections for individuals with chronic conditions, enabling anonymous sharing of experiences and treatment advice.

  • Confidentiality: Access to health information can be achieved privately online, mitigating concerns about public perception.

  • Time Management: Digital platforms facilitate on-demand access to information, reducing the need to miss school or work.

Limitations and Challenges of Digital Media

  • Reliability: Risk of misinformation exists; users may not discern reliable sources or advice, which can adversely affect health outcomes.

  • Health Literacy: Low health literacy can hinder individuals from successfully navigating health information.

  • Self-Diagnosis Risks: Increased potential of misdiagnosis due to unverified information online leading to inappropriate treatments.

  • Self-Medicating Problem: Misguided self-medication due to unqualified internet-derived diagnoses can lead to serious health problems.

  • Cyberchondria: Increased anxiety from excessive searching online related to symptoms resulting in medical anxiety.

Complaints Within the Health System

  • Right to Complain: Patients have the right to file complaints regarding health service providers if warranted.

  • Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC): An independent organization in Victoria addresses complaints confidentially without fees.

  • Scope of Complaints: The HCC addresses various issues including:

    • Access quality, care, communication, involvement, privacy.

    • Handles complaints for both registered (e.g., doctors, nurses) and non-registered health professionals (e.g., naturopaths).

Process of Complaints

  • Initial Complaint Handling:

    • Confirm attempt for direct resolution with the provider before proceeding.

  • Complaint Resolution Steps:

    1. Early Resolution: Informal discussion to clarify and resolve the issue expediently.

    2. Formal Resolution: A documented process aimed at structured discussions, where outcomes are outlined.

    3. Investigation: Formal exploration for complex complaints that may lead to public warnings.

  • 2021-22 Statistics: 6191 complaints; most common indicating services lacking safety and ethics.

Conclusion and Additional Resources

  • Check resources and complete chapter review tasks to reinforce knowledge gained from this chapter.