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Zurynski Y, Herkes-Deane J, Holt J, McPherson E, Lamprell G, Dammery G, Meulenbroeks I, Halim N, Braithwaite J. How can the healthcare system deliver sustainable performance? A scoping review. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059207. [PMID: 35613812 PMCID: PMC9125771 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing health costs, demand and patient multimorbidity challenge the sustainability of healthcare systems. These challenges persist and have been amplified by the global pandemic. OBJECTIVES We aimed to develop an understanding of how the sustainable performance of healthcare systems (SPHS) has been conceptualised, defined and measured. DESIGN Scoping review of peer-reviewed articles and editorials published from database inception to February 2021. DATA SOURCES PubMed and Ovid Medline, and snowballing techniques. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA We included articles that discussed key focus concepts of SPHS: (1) definitions, (2) measurement, (3) identified challenges, (4) identified solutions for improvement and (5) scaling successful solutions to maintain SPHS. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS After title/abstract screening, full-text articles were reviewed, and relevant information extracted and synthesised under the five focus concepts. RESULTS Of 142 included articles, 38 (27%) provided a definition of SPHS. Definitions were based mainly on financial sustainability, however, SPHS was also more broadly conceptualised and included acceptability to patients and workforce, resilience through adaptation, and rapid absorption of evidence and innovations. Measures of SPHS were also predominantly financial, but recent articles proposed composite measures that accounted for financial, social and health outcomes. Challenges to achieving SPHS included the increasingly complex patient populations, limited integration because of entrenched fragmented systems and siloed professional groups, and the ongoing translational gaps in evidence-to-practice and policy-to-practice. Improvement strategies for SPHS included developing appropriate workplace cultures, direct community and consumer involvement, and adoption of evidence-based practice and technologies. There was also a strong identified need for long-term monitoring and evaluations to support adaptation of healthcare systems and to anticipate changing needs where possible. CONCLUSIONS To implement lasting change and to respond to new challenges, we need context-relevant definitions and frameworks, and robust, flexible, and feasible measures to support the long-term sustainability and performance of healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Zurynski
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NHMRC Partnership Centre for Health System Sustainability, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jessica Herkes-Deane
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joanna Holt
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NHMRC Partnership Centre for Health System Sustainability, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elise McPherson
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gina Lamprell
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Genevieve Dammery
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NHMRC Partnership Centre for Health System Sustainability, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Isabelle Meulenbroeks
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NHMRC Partnership Centre for Health System Sustainability, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicole Halim
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NHMRC Partnership Centre for Health System Sustainability, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jeffrey Braithwaite
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NHMRC Partnership Centre for Health System Sustainability, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
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Foster MM, Cornwell PL, Fleming JM, Mitchell GK, Tweedy SM, Hart AL, Haines TP. Better than nothing? Restrictions and realities of enhanced primary care for allied health practitioners. Aust J Prim Health 2009. [DOI: 10.1071/py08065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Participation of allied health professionals (AHP) in the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program is increasing. However, access to allied health services is strictly delineated under the EPC program and AHP face unique practice realities in providing care to patients with chronic conditions. This paper examines the discretionary practices adopted by AHP in response to the realities at the policy–practice interface and situates the discussion within a description of their experiences with EPC. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of fifteen AHP. Participants were selected from a larger cohort who responded to a questionnaire about EPC. The EPC program was perceived as a positive start, although some aspects were problematic. Participants reported that the restriction on the number of subsidised sessions was not conducive to providing a good allied health service to patients with complex care needs and remuneration was not commensurate with the nature and scope of treatment required. The AHP in this study spoke of the dilemma of wanting to assist patients but at the same time to operate a financially viable business. Moreover, their experience was that multidisciplinary team care was implied rather than reality. Abbreviated care practices, reasonable solutions for access, and entrepreneurial practices were strategies used to manage the policy–practice tensions.
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