Understanding the Australian Health Care System

Understanding the Australian Health Care System 4e is the essential guide to the complexities of health care in Australia. Key theoretical concepts and current issues along with the structures and policies influencing health care professionals are explored by leading experts led by authors, Eileen Willis, Louise Reynolds and Trudy Rudge.

The text is divided into two sections. The first is about the multiple systems, services and schemes that make up health care in Australia. The second explores the roles of fifteen health professions working within the current system, with a focus on key themes of interprofessional practice, chronic illness, and quality and safety.

1. Introduction to the Australian health care system

Section One: System Overview
2. The public health sector and Medicare
3. The private health sector and private health insurance
4. International health care systems
5. Public health in Australia
6. Primary health care systems and reforms
7. The Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme: recent trends and options for reform
8. The aged care sector: residential and community care
9. Rural health systems: spotlight on equity and access
10. Indigenous health systems and services
11. Organising care for the mentally ill in Australia
12. People living with disability: navigating support and health systems
13. Australian workers’ compensation systems
14. The complementary and alternative health care system in Australia
15. Oral health and dental services
16. NEW The digital divide and health

Section Two: Health Professionals
17. The Health Workforce
18. Clinical exercise physiology in the Australian health care system
19. Dietetics and Nutrition: promoting health for all Australians
20. Health care managers in a changing system
21. The profession of Medicine
22. Midwifery: the profession in Australia
23. Nursing in Australia
24. Occupational Therapy
25. Paramedics: the emerging professionalisation of urgent care