Health System Integration and Primary Health Care Development
Description and aims
This stream is focused on the role of primary health care in improving health and social care integration. Integration is approached at a number of levels and perspectives with the ultimate objectives of improving health and well being, service user experience and system efficiency/effectiveness.
Key current research areas
Primary Health Care System Development
PHC System Development is concerned with the development of organisations, systems, capacity and frameworks needed for a strong Primary Health Care system. This includes the organisational structures including LHDs, PHNs, and emerging Australian models of Patient Centred Medical Homes and Neighbourhood
Improving integration of services and continuity of care
Improving Integration is concerned with the way that different parts of health and related systems work together to provide comprehensive and well-coordinated primary health care. This includes integration within primary health care and with other sectors, including hospitals.
Access to Primary Health Care
Access to PHC is concerned with patterns of access to quality Primary Health Care. This work includes studies of access to primary health care for people with diabetes, using data from population health surveys and linking records from hospital and other data sets.
Key partners
Partnerships and working together at individual and organisational levels are central to improved integration. Our key partners are consumer and health professional representative organisations, PHNs, LHDs, community organisations and related sectors such as local government, education, employment etc.
Stream lead
Margo Barr leads this stream.
Completed
Projects
Investigating the use of translation apps and websites in health care settings
This study was a mixed-method exploration of the nature and extent of use of translation apps and websites in health care settings. Findings from the research provided insights into trhe circumstances under which translation apps were being used used.
Mapping the role of general practice in strengthening the Australian Primary Health Care Sector
The review the role of general practice in PHC as background research to support the work of the General Practice Partnership Advisory Council
National evaluation of the GP Hospital Integration Demonstration Sites Program
Previous work by CPHCE had established a framework for GP Hospital integration. The Department wished to trial approaches to incorporating more integrated operations into the work of hospitals and primary health care services.
Optimising Access to Best Practice Primary Health Care: A Systematic Review
Ensuring that Australians have access to health care is an integral component of Australian health care policy. Growing awareness of the importance of PHC in delivering equitable and cost-effective care is creating interest in better understanding and addressing access to best practice PHC.
Optimising skill-mix in the primary health care workforce for the care of older Australians
This project will identify the opportunities where optimising the skill-mix of the primary health care workforce will benefit older Australians.A series of policy alternatives will be defined to optimise skill-mix of the primary healthcare workforce to meet the needs of older Australians.