Table of Contents

List of figuresList of tablesList of case studiesAbbreviationsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction 1. FRAMEWORKS FOR ANALYSIS The big choices in health careInteractions in health careThe changing health care environmentA systems perspective on healthEvaluating the Australian health systemChoices in health system design 2. THE AUSTRALIAN POPULATION AND ITS HEALTH Measuring healthHealth status in the Australian communityEquity and ill healthHealth care and health status 3. FINANCING HEALTH CARE Measuring health expenditureHow much do we spend on health careInternational comparisons of health expenditureWhere does health spending go?Where does the money come from?The role of governments and markets in health expenditureMedicareHealth insurancePolicy debates on health expenditure 4. THE HEALTH WORKFORCE Profiling the health workforceRegistration and regulationPreparation of health professionalsModels of provider paymentIssues in health workforce supply and demandEmerging workforce challengesThe need for change 5. GOVERNANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY AND REFORM Federalism in AustraliaThe scope and organisation of government departmentsAccountability through consumer participationMechanisms for reforming the health system 6. PUBLIC HEALTH History and concepts of public healthFrameworks for thinking about public healthCreating a safer environmentReducing risks of transmissionIdentifying disease earlyHealth promotion—healthy behaviour and healthier communitiesNational leadership, research and expenditure on public healthEvaluation and contemporary policy issues 7. PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES Scope and profile of primary health care servicesGeneral practiceCommunity health servicesDental and allied health servicesThe role of primary health care services in tackling chronic diseaseEvaluation and contemporary policy issues 8. HOSPITALS Overview of Australian hospital servicesHospital capacity, utilisation and accessHospital costs, efficiency and payment modelsSafety and quality of hospital careGovernance and operation of hospitalsEvaluation and contemporary policy issues 9 SPECIALISED HEALTH SERVICES Mental health servicesAlcohol and drug servicesSub-acute servicesPalliative care servicesEvaluation and contemporary policy issues 10. PHARMACEUTICALS National Medicines PolicyTrends in PBS utilisation and spendingSupply arrangements and the pharmacy workforceEvaluation and contemporary policy issues 11. MEETING THE NEEDS OF OLDER PEOPLE AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Need for support: Who, why and whatPeople, carers and services: Shifts in the balance of policyAged care services: organisation, funding and utilisationSupport for people with a disabilityEvaluation and contemporary policy issues 12. POLICY CHALLENGES FOR THE AUSTRALIAN Health Care SystemEquity, Quality, Efficiency, AcceptabilityThe future of the health care systemAn ideal systemConclusionAppendices

About the Author

Stephen Duckett is Director of the Health Program at Grattan Institute Sharon Willcox is Director of Health Policy Solutions and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at Monash University