Category Archives: chronic diseases

Out-of-pocket health costs: adding to the burden on patients

May 4, 2012 – 5:21 pm

Recent reports highlight the economic hardship facing many patients with chronic diseases, according to Kellie Bisset, editor of the HARC e-Bulletin and Communications Director at the Sax Institute.   She cites a suggestion that researchers and policymakers have been too complacent about the relatively high out-of-pocket costs faced by Australian patients. Time will tell whether the forthcoming [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in evidence-based issues, health and medical research, Health inequalities | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

The pros and cons of telehealth for people in rural and remote areas

April 16, 2012 – 10:06 am

Canadian researchers recently investigated the use of telehealth in delivering a self management program for stroke survivors and carers. The findings  – profiled below in the latest update from the Primary Health Care Research and Information Service ( PHC RIS) – will no doubt be of interest locally, given the increasing use of telehealth.  *** Telehealth: [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in cardiovascular disease, e-health, primary health care, rural and remote health, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

Unpicking some of the barriers to better collaboration between health professionals involved in diabetes care

March 23, 2012 – 2:43 pm

There is so much rhetoric in the health sector about the importance of collaboration, multidisciplinary approaches and teamwork. But there are many barriers to translating the rhetoric into reality. In its latest Croakey update, the Primary Health Care Research and Information Service (better known as PHC RIS) reports on a study that makes timely and relevant [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in diabetes, general practice, health and medical research, Medicare Locals, primary health care | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Chronic health problems and depression: what matters for patients

February 24, 2012 – 2:32 pm

In its latest Croakey update, the Primary Health Care Research and Information Service (better known as PHC RIS) reports on a study investigating the relationship between chronic health problems and depression. The findings highlights the importance of maintaining quality of life for people with complex health problems.  *** The importance of patients’ perceptions in avoiding [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in general practice, mental health, primary health care | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Helping older patients with chronic diseases to navigate the health system

February 20, 2012 – 9:23 am

How can vulnerable elderly patients be helped to navigate the fragmented health system? In its latest Croakey update, the Primary Health Care Research and Information Service (better known as PHC RIS) reports there is encouraging evidence to suggest that professional health system “navigators” might be able to help elderly people with chronic health problems to [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in aged care, consumer health information, health reform, nurses and nursing, primary health care | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

A proposal for busting unhealthy workplaces

February 16, 2012 – 4:20 pm

While the previous post makes a suggestion for how the Federal Government could ensure healthier, fairer food policy, in the article below health policy consultant Margo Saunders suggests workplaces (including government departments) could be doing more to promote good health. She suggests that we need a bit of online activism, in the vein of The [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in Food, obesity, occupational health, public health | Tagged , | Comments (2)

Introducing the National Campaign for Consumer-Centred Health Care

January 19, 2012 – 4:41 pm

The information below has been provided by a new group, the National Campaign for Consumer-Centred Health Care. It gives some background on the campaign’s aims, principles, membership and plans. It also includes a call for people interested in working with Medicare Locals on behalf of consumers. If you’ve any questions or comments for the new [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in consumer health information, e-health, health reform, Medicare Locals, mental health, quality and safety of health care | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)

Is Victoria the pace-setter in health promotion?

December 16, 2011 – 11:45 am

It’s just over three years since COAG announced The National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health (NPAPH), which is providing $872.1 million over six years from 2009-10, and is billed as the “largest investment ever made by an Australian Government in health promotion for healthy eating and physical activity”. These recent job advertisements, for health promotion [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in evidence-based issues, Food, health reform, National Preventive Health Agency, obesity, occupational health, prevention, public health, social determinants of health | Comments (0)

Should pharma industry fines be used in good works that create positive industry PR?

December 15, 2011 – 10:13 am

Andrew Roberts – who is better known to friends, patients, colleagues and Twitter followers as Robbo – is a pharmacist in a remote WA community. Below is an article cross-posted from his blog, Biting the Dust, in which he raises concerns about the source of funds for a dialysis truck that is providing a much-needed [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in diabetes, health ethics, Indigenous health, pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy, rural and remote health | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Some lessons from rural innovation in mental health care (and why it can be harder to work together in cities…)

December 9, 2011 – 12:56 pm

My recent article about mental health reform (a joint production for Inside Story and Crikey) highlighted some of the divisions in the sector. Earlier this year, I did this story for Australian Rural Doctor magazine profiling some of the positives that can come from collaboration in mental health service delivery, at all sorts of levels. [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in health financing and costs, health reform, mental health, primary health care, public health, rural and remote health, social determinants of health | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)