NURS1003 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Coronary Artery Disease, Puberty, Trachea
Topic 7: Health Systems
Health Systems
Health Systems are a combination of: Government, the Private sector, and Civil
Society
Each country’s health care system reflects different combinations of these groups
All 3 partners contribute to: research, funding, employment for health
professionals, health promotion, service delivery
They influence the conditions for healthy and unhealthy living (the social
determinants of health), as well as provide health services
Government and Health
In Australia, the government health system is divided between Commonwealth and
State
Medicare is the publicly‐funded universal health care system for insufficient
income earners
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to reduce costs of medication for low‐income
earners
Benefits: number of people covered, facilities (hospitals), information management, disease
surveillance, laws, regulations and standards
Cost: services must be paid for, usually through taxation
Examples: Medicare
Civil Society and Health
Civil Society: “The arena of voluntary collective action around shared interests, purposes and
values”
Some large and highly organised, others small and informal – supports areas where
there is a gap in health services
Is an umbrella term for a diverse group of organisations – e.g. charities, Non‐
Government Organisations (NGOs), faith‐based organisations, trade unions,
professional associations (nurse, social work, medical professional bodies),
community groups
Benefits: reflect ‘grass‐roots’ priorities – responds to that particular issue in that
socieety, culturally appropriate, motivated health professionals, improves access
Cost: dependent mainly on public donations, but also on government and private
funding
Examples: Beyondblue, Country Women’s Association
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Private Health Care
There is a range of private health companies
The three largest private health care companies in Australia – Bupa, Medibank
and HBF
The Australian Government offers incentives to encourage people to get private
health insurance – reduction in amount to pay to Medicare, pay 2x as much to
Medicare without private health care
Benefits: consumer choice and control – surgeons for operation, competitive, ‘lifestyle’
options, reduces cost when sick or injured, waiting times, out‐of‐ hospital care (home
nursing)
Cost: covered largely by individuals (user fees and health insurance)
Examples: Medibank, Bupa, HBF
United States of America little public health funding who cannot afford private health
insurance are hit with great bills
Partners in Health
The Government (state)
The Private sector (market)
Civil Society (individuals and groups)
Moving from Medical Dominance to Community Building and Partnerships
Medical Dominance
Community development: “The active involvement of people sharing in the issues that affect
their lives by drawing on existing human and material resources to enhance self‐help and
social support”
Community action: “Refers to collective efforts by communities that are directed towards
increasing community control over the determinants of health, thereby improving health”
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Skills Health Professionals need to work effectively with
communities
Defining Compassion Fatigue
Compassion fatigue (Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder): a condition characterised by a
gradual lessening of compassion over time.
It is common among trauma victims and individuals that work directly with trauma victims.
Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue in Health Workers
Abusing drugs, alcohol or food
Anger
Blaming
Chronic lateness
Depression
Diminished sense of personal
accomplishment
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find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Health systems are a combination of: government, the private sector, and civil. Each country"s health care system reflects different combinations of these groups. All 3 partners contribute to: research, funding, employment for health professionals, health promotion, service delivery. They influence the conditions for healthy and unhealthy living (the social determinants of health), as well as provide health services. In australia, the government health system is divided between commonwealth and. Medicare is the publicly funded universal health care system for insufficient income earners. Pharmaceutical benefits scheme to reduce costs of medication for low income earners. Benefits: number of people covered, facilities (hospitals), information management, disease surveillance, laws, regulations and standards. Cost: services must be paid for, usually through taxation. Civil society: the arena of voluntary collective action around shared interests, purposes and values . Some large and highly organised, others small and informal supports areas where there is a gap in health services.
