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Australian Health Review

Australian Health Review

Australian Health Review explores health policy and management including healthcare delivery systems, clinical programs and health financing. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Sonĵ Hall

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Australian Health Review is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 13 May 2025

AH24337Planning for the future of the Australian midwifery workforce: the Midwifery Futures workforce model

Kirsten Small 0000-0003-1481-4147, Martin Boyce, Chanelle Warton, Kathleen Baird, Zoe Bradfield 0000-0002-1013-0461, Jennifer Fenwick and Caroline Homer
 

What is known about this topic? Effective midwifery workforce planning requires an understanding of the size of the workforce and the prediction of future possibilities, especially attrition. What does this paper add? The Midwifery Futures workforce model demonstrates ongoing growth of the midwifery workforce, assuming no changes to recruitment and attrition. An increase in voluntary attrition would have devastating consequences. What are the implications for practitioners? Increased student recruitment and efforts to retain midwives by focusing on improved workplaces, increased flexibility, and increased access to midwifery continuity of carer roles may stabilise the Australian midwifery workforce.

AH24337 Abstract  |  AH24337 Full Text  | AH24337PDF (1.2 MB)  | AH24337Supplementary Material (582 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 12 May 2025

AH24229Private car travel is the dominant form of transport to work for healthcare workers across Greater Western Sydney: a short report on a large travel survey

Soumya Mazumdar, Bin Jalaludin, David Surplice, Stephen Conaty, Kim Jobburn, Linda Stanbury, Helen Ryan and Josephine Sau Fan Chow
 

What is known about the topic? Understanding commuting patterns of healthcare workers is important but relatively little is known. What does this paper add? This study explores different commuting modes and the barriers to active travel and public transport use among healthcare workers, finding car travel to be the most prevalent. What are the implications for practitioners? The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to promote sustainable commuting options, which can improve health outcomes and reduce environmental impact.

AH24229 Abstract  | PDF (1 MB) - $35.00   | AH24229Supplementary Material (219 KB)
Published online 08 May 2025

AH25062Behind the scan: addressing the silent strain on medical radiation professionals’ mental health

Min Ku 0000-0002-0022-8764, Jillian Cavanagh, Timothy Bartram and Leila Afshari 0000-0001-9758-8493
 

What is known about the topic? There are still significant pressures on the healthcare system from a workforce perspective. Job demands are still exceeding job resources. Relatively little is known about how human resource management (HRM) and management support can contribute effectively to improve the psychological wellbeing of medical radiation practitioners (MRPs). What does this paper add? This paper details the workplace issues faced by MRPs and contributes to literature on wellbeing HRM in the allied health sector. What are the implications for practitioners? Identification of a collaborative multi-level management approach is required to actively support MRPs to manage and address mental health and wellbeing issues.

AH25062 Abstract  | PDF (266 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 06 May 2025

AH24276The Hospital Harmony program improves interdisciplinary healthcare team functioning and communication

Matthew J. Y. Kang 0000-0001-9375-3762, Ar Kar Aung 0000-0003-3317-945X, Rob Selzer, Ashlee Linck, Floyd F. Dias, Eldho Paul, Jennifer S. N. Tang, Jo Gibbs and Harry Gibbs
 

What is known about the topic? Despite the critical importance of communication and collaboration within multidisciplinary healthcare teams, there is limited literature addressing interventions that are both effective and feasible in a busy hospital setting. What does this paper add? This paper evaluates the Hospital Harmony program, a brief, group-based intervention that was well-received and significantly enhanced psychological safety and communication within a general medicine multidisciplinary team. What are the implications for practitioners? The Hospital Harmony program has the potential to be adapted for use in other multidisciplinary healthcare teams, improving team functioning and ultimately patient care.

AH24276 Abstract  | PDF (549 KB) - $35.00   | AH24276Supplementary Material (159 KB)
Published online 06 May 2025

AH25039Where to for digital health? The Australian Council of Senior Academic Leaders in Digital Health action plan

Leanna Woods 0000-0003-4811-4608, Melanie Haines, Salma Arabi, James Boyd, Kerryn Butler-Henderson, Kathleen Gray, Russell L. Gruen, Stephen Guinea 0000-0002-9225-1135, Christine Bennett and Clair Sullivan
 

What is known about the topic? The potential of digital health to transform Australia’s healthcare system by improving sustainability, access and equity, and meeting the demands for a future-ready workforce, has not yet been realised. What does this paper add? This paper outlines an action plan developed by the Australian Council of Senior Academic Leaders in Digital Health to advance digital health research and education. What are the implications for practitioners? Advancing digital health transformation in Australia requires effective engagement with and across our universities, which is essential to drive collective action and progress in health care.

AH25039 Abstract  |  AH25039 Full Text  | AH25039PDF (323 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 28 April 2025

AH24326Use of artificial intelligence to generate emergency department discharge summaries

Chuting Tang 0009-0000-2688-798X, Nilupul Mudunna, Ian Turner, Mohammad Asghari-Jafarabadi, Keith Joe and Lisa Brichko
 

What is known about the topic? Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to assist in generating medical documents, but evidence regarding its effectiveness in creating emergency department (ED) discharge summaries is limited. What does this paper add? This study shows that AI-generated discharge summaries were rated comparably to ED medical notes in expected contents, readability, and internal consistency. What are the implications for practitioners? AI could be a valuable tool for enhancing efficiency and accuracy in creating ED discharge summaries, supporting clinicians in delivering high-quality patient care. It is possible to use ChatGPT4 to produce succinct discharge summaries. AI-generated discharge summaries are potentially comparable to the comprehensive medical notes written by doctors.

AH24326 Abstract  | PDF (371 KB) - $35.00   | AH24326Supplementary Material (250 KB)
Published online 23 April 2025

AH24300The role of Medicare policy in fertility treatment decisions: perceptions of Australians considering, undertaking or who have undertaken medically assisted reproduction treatment

Lauren Jaensch, Jessica A. Grieger and Melissa Oxlad
 

What is known about the topic? Fertility treatment can be expensive and not all people who require fertility treatment can access financial assistance from Medicare. What does this paper add? For those eligible for assistance, Medicare enhances accessibility and the amount of treatment undertaken due to increased affordability. People also alter their treatment plans based on Medicare policy. What are the implications for practitioners? The findings support calls for changes to Medicare eligibility to enable equitable access to fertility treatment and a pathway to parenthood for all Australians.

AH24300 Abstract  | PDF (301 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 23 April 2025

AH25013Analysis of public dental waiting lists in Queensland – 2015–2024

Ratilal Lalloo
 

What is known about the topic? Australians eligible for public oral healthcare can wait a long time for an appointment. What does this paper add? This analysis provides an update and 10-year review (2015–2024) of numbers waiting for care, and numbers and percentages waiting beyond a desirable time for their clinical priority group, in Queensland. What are the implications for practitioners? Clear and feasible strategies need to be implemented to substantially reduce waiting list numbers in Queensland and more broadly across Australia; including appropriate federal and state government funding of public oral healthcare.

AH25013 Abstract  | PDF (302 KB) - $35.00   | AH25013Supplementary Material (967 KB)
Published online 22 April 2025

AH24321Impacts of eHealth on hospitals: an updated narrative review of systematic reviews

Mahmoud Abdelghani, Yi-Ting Yeh, Rebekah Eden 0000-0002-6228-7241, Leanna Woods 0000-0003-4811-4608, Graeme Mattison, Sophie Macklin, Oliver Canfell 0000-0003-2010-3640 and Clair Sullivan
 

What is known about the topic? Implementation of eHealth has been unfolding in hospitals for over the past decade, and impact evaluations are needed to provide insights into justifying expenditure. What does this paper add? This paper extends two consecutive narrative reviews of systematic reviews and provides a meta-review of the impacts of eHealth technologies published between 2010 and 2021. We observed largely mixed findings for CPOE, EMR, and ePrescribing, and largely positive findings for CDSS. What are the implications for practitioners? eHealth has the potential to improve a breadth of outcomes, but there is no guarantee and effortful work is needed.

AH24321 Abstract  | PDF (344 KB) - $35.00   | AH24321Supplementary Material (333 KB)
Published online 09 April 2025

AH25005Accuracy of medication allergy documentation in My Health Record after severe adverse drug reactions

Juliana Yang, William Lay 0009-0006-2329-0954, Linda V. Graudins, Melissa Walker, Celia Zubrinich and Ar Kar Aung 0000-0003-3317-945X
 

What is known about the topic? Accurate documentation of severe medication allergies is essential to prevent morbidity and mortality from inadvertent re-exposure. My Health Record is a national patient-controlled electronic health record. The accuracy of allergy information in My Health Record has not been previously evaluated. What does this paper add? Inaccurate documentation of confirmed serious medication-related allergies was prevalent, contributed by several system level barriers. What are the implications for practitioners? Accurate allergy documentation in My Health Record and medication safety can be improved through streamlining pathways for hospital clinicians and specialists to enter important information.

AH25005 Abstract  | PDF (2.2 MB) - $35.00   | AH25005Supplementary Material (98 KB)
Published online 09 April 2025

AH25063A ‘True North Statement for Care’: charting the course to better care for all Australians

Rebecca K. Golley, Georgia Middleton 0000-0003-2456-9122, Michael T. Lawless, Lucy Anastasi, Alison L. Kitson and Raymond J. Chan
 

What is known about the topic? In the face of escalating demands, our existing care systems are not delivering efficient, safe, high-quality and complex care that meets the diverse needs of individuals and communities. What does this paper add? Our series of co-design activities generated a True North Statement that can serve as a shared action-focused vision to transform health and social care in Australia over the next decade. What are the implications for practitioners? Our True North Statement is a starting point to guide individual, organisation and system redesign. The statements are sequential and require action at individual consumer, workforce and system levels.

AH25063 Abstract  | PDF (696 KB) - $35.00   | AH25063Supplementary Material (304 KB)
Published online 09 April 2025

AH25060Advance care planning: empowering older frail people to document their end of life wishes

Peter Gonski 0000-0002-1543-7841, Melissa Chan 0009-0007-0008-0951 and Ken Hillman 0000-0001-8241-0166
 

What is known? Advance care directives are important so that individuals can plan for the medical treatment they want to receive when they are unable to medically or cognitively make those decisions. Unfortunately for many reasons uptake is low. What does this paper add? Increase in uptake can occur if a health professional individualises support at the right time in the right place and targets the right people. What are the implications for practitioners? Dedicated staff are required to provide time, education and empathy to support people to empower themselves to make decisions about their future medical care.

AH25060 Abstract  |  AH25060 Full Text  | AH25060PDF (432 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 08 April 2025

AH24327Sociodemographic and clinical factors affecting advance care planning: results from a large community cohort in New South Wales, Australia

E. Yang, A. Kabir, J. Rhee, C. O’Callaghan 0000-0002-8303-6396 and M. Barr 0000-0002-3007-0216
 

What is known about the topic? The ageing population and increasing incidence of chronic illness pose significant end-of-life healthcare challenges. advance care planning (ACP) completion rates are low across Australia, varying by location and healthcare setting. What does the paper add? This study identifies predictors for ACP and advance care directive completion, including having a will, advancing age, being female, having private health insurance, not working, and having one or more medical conditions. What are the implications for practitioners? These findings could inform interventions to improve ACP uptake, guide healthcare professionals to identify groups that engage less in ACP and inform future research.

AH24327 Abstract  |  AH24327 Full Text  | AH24327PDF (356 KB)  | AH24327Supplementary Material (286 KB)   Open Access Article

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

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Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health – beyond Closing the Gap

Empowering First Nations communities and committing to long-term political action are essential to addressing the systemic health disparities they face. True change requires giving them control over their healthcare and sustained efforts to tackle the root causes of inequity for lasting justice and healing.

The papers in this collection are free to read for two months, from 11 March 2025.

Last Updated: 11 Mar 2025

Research Front: Improving Mental Health Care – Special Focus

Australia needs a mental health system the community can rely on and long-term strategic and systemic reformation of mental health care is critical. The featured papers in this Special Focus comment on the Oakden Report and the agenda for change and organisational reform, the use of stepped care approaches to enable effective mental health care, the vital role of family carers and their partnerships with mental health providers, eMental health care as a treatment option for young people, the need to facilitate ongoing development of ‘lived experience’ roles, the scarcity of quality guidelines to address the physical health of people with severe mental illness, and the largely unrecognised and valuable skill set of the mental health nurse.

Last Updated: 02 Dec 2020

Research Front: Improving Aged Care – Special Focus

In October 2020, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety published its report, setting out some of the devastating effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the sector. The aged care sector has long been in need of reform, it continues to struggle to meet the needs of its population, and the pandemic has made the issue more visible than ever before. The featured papers in this Special Focus comment on the changing trends in residential aged care use, the longstanding (and global) issue of an increasing older and more clinically complex population, the work of case managers in community aged care, and the value of advance care planning among residential aged care facility residents.

Last Updated: 02 Dec 2020

Research Front: Going Digital – Special Focus

Hospitals globally are in the midst of a digital transformation. The featured papers in this Special Focus comment on the challenges and considerations of health services undergoing this rapid digital transformation and discuss decision-making processes for new technologies, what can be done to maximise the benefits of digital change, and the complex challenges of implementing and examining the effects of technology.

Last Updated: 30 Sep 2020

Research Front: Equity – Special Focus

Every year has a few defining moments, but the paradigm shifts around the world in 2020 have been phenomenal with healthcare and the economy bearing the brunt of the crisis – one where there is no end in sight. In the midst of the inequities highlighted by COVID, June 30 marked Derek Feeley’s last day as the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s President and CEO, the legacy he leaves is a greater questioning of the equity of healthcare improvement initiatives and ‘Who gets left behind?’ at a time of the rise of the global Black Lives Matter campaigns; a topic further explored by Dr Chris Bourke and colleagues looking at support for Indigenous health leaders.

Last Updated: 05 Aug 2020

Research Front: Equity – Special Focus

The paradigm shifts around the world in 2020 have been phenomenal with healthcare and the economy bearing the brunt of the crisis. In the midst of the inequities highlighted by COVID, June 30 marked Derek Feeley’s last day as the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s President and CEO, the legacy he leaves is a greater questioning of the equity of healthcare improvement initiatives and ‘Who gets left behind?’ at a time of the rise of the global Black Lives Matter campaigns; a topic further explored by Dr Chris Bourke and colleagues looking at support for Indigenous health leaders.

Last Updated: 05 Aug 2020

Research Front: COVID-19 – Special Focus

Dr Bronwyn Evans, CEO of Engineers Australia, was one of a select group, led by the Defence Department, who met in 2019 to ask the ‘What if…?’ and test Australia’s vulnerabilities. In Policy Reflection, she looks for the positives surfacing through the COVID-19 crisis and how we may build on these for a stronger Australia moving forward.

Last Updated: 05 Aug 2020

Research Front: Healthcare Affordability – Special Focus

The strength of nations and their governments are under the spotlight with SARS-CoV-2 – some have risen to the challenges; others have faltered with dire consequences. Ian Burgess, CEO, Medical Technology Association of Australia and Professor Stephen Duckett reflect on Australian leadership through the crisis and some of the lessons for future political and governance reform. Keeping healthcare affordable is a major focus in this issue. The economic onslaught of the pandemic will leave millions in financial dire straits adding to the numbers already struggling with the burden of healthcare costs. A heartfelt thank you to all those at the frontlines and behind the scenes who have cared for us and fellow global citizens.

Last Updated: 03 Jun 2020

Research Front: Nursing – Special Focus

There has never been a better time to acknowledge the great role of our nurses and midwives than as we tackle COVID-19. To celebrate this International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife in 2020, we feature two Policy Reflections by esteemed nurse leaders and four articles that delve into issues facing policy and practice.

Last Updated: 03 Apr 2020

Research Front: Close the Gap – Special Focus

19 March 2020 was Close the Gap Day. The four articles in this Special Focus highlight the continuing and urgent need to reduce health inequities and that Australians value health equity and outcomes for all.

Last Updated: 03 Apr 2020

Research Front: Allied Health Workforce

This Research Front focuses on the allied health workforce. It features a selection of articles that contribute to the evidence base to inform decision-making regarding allied health workforce policy, practices and research.

Last Updated: 15 Jun 2015

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