It takes a village: connected health and community care

Effective and reliable healthcare is essential in supporting a good quality of life. And primary health represents perhaps the most important element of any healthcare system. A strong primary health system not only leads to better patient outcomes, it can also be effective in preventing hospitalisation and reducing the demand for expensive ongoing care services.

And by ensuring that we continuously improve our models of care, and that there is effective coordination between primary care providers and the larger healthcare system, we can provide the best possible healthcare experience for patients.

Networking is key

In order to address this need for an efficient and effective primary healthcare system, the Australian Government has established Primary Health Networks (PHNs) across Australia. Evidence indicates that health systems with strong integrated primary healthcare at their core are both effective in improving patient outcomes and experiences and efficient at delivering appropriate services where they are needed most.

On July 1st 2015, 31 PHNs were established to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services for patients, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes, and to improve coordination of care to ensure patients receive the right care, at the right place, at the right time. PHNs will achieve these objectives by working directly with general practitioners, other primary health care providers, secondary care providers and hospitals to facilitate improved outcomes for patients.

The Government has agreed to six key priorities for targeted work by PHNs: mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, population health, the health workforce, eHealth and aged care.

Providing culturally appropriate healthcare, led both externally and internally by Indigenous community members, helps to reduce barriers to access and promote a more inclusive and flexible healthcare system.

A good deal of effort has been made recently to help reduce geographic barriers for rural and remote patients. In order to best meet the community’s mental health needs, we should also recognise the impact of social isolation. Even people living in medium or high-density urban areas can experience social isolation, which has a profound effect on a person’s well-being.

Changing hearts and minds

There are several challenges to address, as we seek to improve existing healthcare systems. Introducing changes to the care pathway can be difficult, especially within large and well-established institutions. While innovation and new ideas can help invigorate care services, they need to be backed by robust frameworks which help maintain organisational cohesion and direction.

As we look to streamline or automate certain processes, this can be seen as a threat to the traditional healthcare labour force. We need to ensure that we bring existing staff on board, and successfully manage the transition to new roles where needed. Meaningful engagement with stakeholders through the change process helps to empower people to lead change from within, buying into the process and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Introducing these new innovations and systems can take time; time that healthcare providers sometimes feel they cannot afford. Demonstrating success can help encourage the change process, and fostering a flexible and dynamic environment opens up opportunities for continual development.

While cutting-edge technology can be exciting and represent a leap forward, the real focus should be on improving and innovating existing processes. Any move towards change and innovation should look to identify and address a specific problem; “what are we trying to solve”.

When developing solutions to common problems, collaboration can ensure long-term, meaningful improvements. Limiting experience and success to one institutionalised setting will not translate to improved patient outcomes; only by gradually improving the whole can we hope to develop a robust healthcare service.

Lyn Davies

Managing Director

Tunstall Australasia Pty Ltd