Models of Health and Health Care System in Australia

This document provides an overview of the different models of health and the overall structure of the health care system in Australia. It discusses the role of nursing regulatory authorities, the impact of cultural barriers on health, and the constraints on healthcare services due to political factors. It also explores the evolution of nursing profession and the current perspectives of the nursing profession in Australia.

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Assessments
Course Unit : HLTENN001 Practise nursing within the Australian health
care system
Assessment
type : Theory Assessment
1. There have been a number of different key models of
health that have influenced health promotion. Describe the
two (2) major health service models identified below (in 40-
50 words each).
1.1
Social model of health:
Used today in Australia (post 1970’s). The social health model is a conceptual
framework that is practised by a wide range of people. It takes into
consideration prevention as well diagnosis, cure and treatment. It puts less on
the Australian healthcare system than that of the Biomedical model.
1.2
Biomedical model of health:
Can only be practised by Doctors and other health professionals. It focuses on
the biological and physical aspects of illness, with the diagnosis, cure and
treatment of the disease at the heart of this model. The biomedical model placed
a considerable burden on the healthcare system when it was used pre 1970’s
2. The National Safety and Quality Health Service
(NSQHS) Standards are being applied across a wide
variety of health care services in all States/Territories in
Australia. Describe the application of these standards (in
50-60 words).

There are 8 standards applied by the NSQHS. These standards are
designed to ensure that there are systems in place within health
service organisations to provide safe, reliable and quality healthcare.
They are also designed to protect people from harm. These
standards are used throughout hospitals in Australia, as well as day
procedures and public dental practices. They provide quality
assurance to all stakeholders
3. Australia's health-care system is a multi-faceted web
of various providers, settings, participants and supporting
mechanisms. Explain the overall structure of health care
system in your State/Territory (in 80-90 words).
Victoria’s healthcare system provides all Victorians, high-quality
health treatment, care, education and disease prevention. It includes
a range of healthcare professionals. These can work across
numerous different settings including public or private hospitals,
community centres, medical clinics and private practice. Areas
such
as mental health, allied health, aged care, dental and complementary
medicine. These can be provided in both the Public healthcare
system which is free as a public patient, or in the private sector
which you pay for, either directly or via your private health
insurance.
4. Nursing in Australia has evolved in training and
regulation since the 19th century. Briefly describe how the
nursing profession has evolved over time outlining major
historical events (in 130-150 words).
Nursing started as a religious vocation and became a medical career.
The first “nurses” in Australia, were some Irish nuns who arrived in
1838. It was only upon the arrival of 6 Nightingale trained nurses,
that nursing in it’s more modern form was born.
Later that century, Florence Nightingale published her definition of
nursing and set up the Nightingale Training School for Nurses in the
UK. Her history in Developing Nursing as a career has had a
profound effect on the history of Australian nursing.
The Australasian Trained nurses Association was founded NSW. It
was around the same time that Australian Nurses volunteered during
the Boer War.
The 20th Century saw more formalised nursing education, with the
College of Nursing, First Nursing Diploma in Australia, offered in a
C.A.E.
For the last 10 years, there is a National Registration for Nurses and
midwives. Formalising the requirement that nurses qualifications to
meet. It is currently required under the NMBA

5. Nursing today is much different from nursing practices
years ago. Describe the current perspectives of the nursing
profession including the opportunities for career
development in Australia (in 50-60 words).
Initially, nursing had very less to do but medical training and training for nurses was
rudimentary in the initiation of profession. No training was offered to caretakers and
was not necessary earlier. But today, drastic changes have been seen in nursing
profession. Qualification for nurses are very particular and in depth. Many nursing
programs, degrees, certifications and specialties are required for providing care to
patients. The current perspectives of nursing profession involve lots of opportunities
for career development in Australia. Nursing training and certification programs help
in career growth and development of nurses and assistive for them in getting good
employment.
6. Explain the philosophical framework underpinning
primary health care (in 50-60 words).
The Primary Health Care is referred as both approach of offering Health services
and philosophy of healthcare. As a philosophy, Primary Health Care is based on
some values associated with solidarity, social justice and equity. It facilitates
exclusion promoting accessibility through emphasizing on opportunities, strengths
and involvement of individual and community. The PHC philosophy ascertain that
individuals have requisite knowledge and skills to enhance health and social care
status. The philosophy needs that individuals of nation work collaboratively with the
representative and professionals of healthcare another area to mobilize community
efforts so as to achieve, promote and maintain health when taking active role in
formulating strategies to mitigate health needs of people.
7. Models of care describe how best to provide care
across the many healthcare areas. Briefly describe the
following 2 (two) models of health (in 40-50 words each).
7.1
The holistic health model:
Holistic health is referred as the approach to life. Instead of emphasizing on illness or particular parts
of body, the holistic health model considers all individuals and the way he or she interact with
environment. It focuses on connection of body, mind and spirit. This model is applicable to four
interrelated dimensional areas including physical, emotional, mental and spiritual parts.
7.2
The health-illness continuum:
The state of health of an individual is one of continual change. This process of change is depicted by
health illness continuum in which different states of illness and health are experienced by individual
that fluctuate throughout his or her life. Adaptation as well and effective functioning, in the presence of
disease can be considered as wellness state. This health illness continuum depicts relationship of
paradigm of treatment to wellness paradigm.

8. Briefly explain the role of the following nursing
regulatory authorities, industrial and professional bodies (in
30-40 words each).
a) Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
It undertakes functions set by health practitioner regulation national law. It regulates in
nursing and midwifery practice in Australia. The main role of NMBA Australia is to protect
the public by developing professional codes, standards and guidelines for practice,
registration standards which together develop requirements for safe and professional
practice of midwives and nurses in Australia.
b) Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation
It is largest National Union as well as nursing and midwives’ organization of Australia. It
worked with aged care, public and private health and disability sectors and please crucial
role in enhancing their ability to deliver best and safe practice care to each individual in the
settings and accomplish healthy work life balance.
c) Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
This agency work with around 15 National boards to assist protect the public through
regulating registered health practitioners in Australia. The main role of the agency is to
protect the public as well as set policies and standards that must be meet by all the
registered health practitioners.
d) Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council
The main role and responsibility of this council is to regulate nurses and midwives. It is the
accreditation authority which is responsible for accrediting education programs and
providers of study for midwifery and nursing profession. It assists in protecting the health
and safety of community of Australia as independent accrediting authority for education of
nursing and midwifery under the national registration and accreditation scheme of Australia.
9. It is vital to understand the population health issues
related to those from a culturally and linguistically
diverse background. Describe 3 (three) possible health
and illness issues faced by people migrated to Australia
(in 40-50 words).
The migrants have high prevalence of chronic diseases rates and cancer and
mental health issues. They experience all cause death rates 10 to 15 percent
less than Australian born persons. Due to linguistic and cultural barriers, the
migrated people to Australia face difficulties in accessibility to healthcare
facilities. The non-English speaking migrants are less possibly to communicate
that they suffer from mental health disorder in comparison to Australian born
residents. They more suffer from chronic diseases which is the leading cause
of disability and death.
10. Health insurances are provided by public and private
agencies and organisations in Australia. Describe the role of
the following organisations in relation to health insurance
and financial support (in 30-40 words each).
10.1
Private Healthcare Australia (PHA)

Private healthcare Australia is one of the health insurance peak representative body of
the industry in Australia. It administrators’ healthcare benefits to around 13 million
Australians. It provides Health insurance to people by companies listed under private
Health insurance act 2007. It administers choice to doctor and can assist with treatment
cost in private hospital.
10.2
Centrelink
It is a delivery point for services available and payments to Australian families. It performs its
functions under governance of DHS. It determines eligibility as well as administrator PPL
funding amount.

11. Research and explain the following two (2) health issues
prevailing among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people in Australia (in 30-40 words each). Hint: What is
known about heart health in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander population?
11.1
Cardiac health issues:
Cardiovascular disease is major health issue, but the impacts and levels are high for people of
aboriginal and Torres strait islander in comparison to non-indigenous people. Cardiac health issue is
the major cause of death among these people. It is found that half of people of aboriginal and Torres
strait islander aged in 40s, 50s and 60s have high risk of stroke or future heart attack and the people
aged in 20s also at risk.
11.2
Diabetes:
The people of Aboriginal and Torres strait islander are four times more possibly to have diabetes in
comparison to non-indigenous Australians. Type 2 diabetes is very common among these people in
which the pancreas stops secreting insulin.
12. Provide 3 (three) examples of healthcare environments
an enrolled nurse could practise in Australia.
An enrolled nurse can work in wide range of environments and clinical
specialties. They are employed in different healthcare settings involving aged
care services, private health sector, hospitals and in general practitioner clinics.
13. The interdisciplinary health care team includes a
diverse group of members (e.g., physicians, psychologists,
social workers, and occupational and physical therapists),
depending on the needs of the patient. Briefly outline the
roles of the following personnel in the health service
delivery for a client undergoing rehabilitation (in 30-40
words each).
13.1
Physiotherapist:
The physiotherapist is responsible to assess patient's physical condition properly in order
to diagnose issue and execute treatment plan as well. They aim to optimize function and
wellbeing of patient and help them to get back into their lifestyle activities. They help
patients in improving their mobility levels and significantly assist in improving their
quality of life.
13.2
Dietician:
The main role of dietitian is to educate people and their members of family on eating well. The change
the nutrition of patient on the basis of their needs and medical condition. They provide impartial
advice regarding health and nutrition of patients and also advise them regarding issues associated
with food and recommend then to have nutritional diet that help in treating diseases as well as their ill
health.
14. Health is multi-factorial and is influenced by a number

of things including our age, family history of illness,
employment, education and living conditions. Briefly outline
how the following themes impact the health and illness of
people from Australia and other countries (in 30-40 words
each).
14.1
Environment: It can affect the health status of the people from Australia. If the people are
living in the under-deprived and poor environment it can hugely impact there health
conditions. This is because they do not get the fair access to treatment and inequities related
to health also exists.
14.2
Cultural barriers: It can also affect the health aspects of the people from Australia as
Cultural differences can cause misunderstandings between patients and doctors. Realizing
how culture can influence a person's perceptions of health and medicine
14.3
Community acceptance: In this there are chances that people suffer because community
does not accept certain type of treatment. This can be because of lack of education and
knowledge.
15. Provide an example of a political impact on
healthcare delivery which might result in a constraint on
services.
Politics can have the huge impact on health care delivery
because of which there are chances that people from Australia
and mostly indigenous Australians are deprived of the treatment
and inequalities exists because of the political interference. It can
result into the constraints of services. Politics, economics, and
public policy are important determinants of population health. It
has been analyzed that better health care services can be
provided in those countries which has lower income inequalities.
There are also major challenges that are been faced by the
Australian health care system because of the politics (Gijsberts,
and et.al., 2019). Australia’s health workforce to the changing
needs of health consumers has long been debated and is far from
resolved. It has also been analyzed that so many health care
professionals are been engaged in developing the E-health
services. But for this major initiatives needs to be taken by the
parliament. There also has been shortage of staff so that better
decisions can be made, so all these challenges are been faced by
because majority of decisions are been taken by the parliament.
Workforce reform can also be done only with the help of
parliament, so these are the major impact of politics on the
health care system of Australia. There are also chances that
policies for aboriginals are not been made because of
interference of politics.

16. A range of diseases and conditions contribute to
the burden of illness and injury in the Australian
community. Briefly outline the 9 (nine) current issues
impacting on
clinical practice and health policy development with
reference to the National Health Priority Areas (NHPAs).
Demographic changes
Technology costs
Private and public funding of health care
Issues in the medical research sector
Equity issues and health inequality
Rapid urbanization health issues.
Burden of growing population
Ageing population
Workforce pressure
Inequalities among health care services
17. James is planning to go to South Africa for leisure. He is
planning to visit smaller cities and he is an adventurous eater.
Which agency could he approach to get a vaccination against
Typhoid and perform a cardio vascular health check? Discuss how
he could access the service?
An individual visiting south Africa can get typhoid because of the food and water
consume by them. James can get the vaccine either from the Netcare or even from
the Medi clinic. These are two biggest agency in South Africa who provides
vaccination for typhoid and he can also go over their and perform a cardio vascular
health check. He could access the service by simply visiting the place or calling at
the agency and fixing appointment for one self. High care quality services can be
provided by these agencies which can assist in enhancing the health and well-being
of James. He can also visit the public sector district health care system (Hofmeyer and
et.al., 2018).
18. A resident who is admitted in your aged care facility
yesterday asked you whether he can take his herbal
(Ayurvedic) medicine which he usually takes to overcome
indigestion problems. The resident is prescribed with
new medications as per his medication chart. What is the
best response in this scenario?
The best response in this situation will be to advice the resident to not take the
Ayurvedic medicine for indigestion he has been facing. The nurse will be engaged in
telling him about the changes in his medical chart, so that the new medicine can be
consumed by the resident. This will assist in enhancing the health outcome of
resident and also his well-being will be improved because of this (Rasheed, Younas and
Sundus, 2019).
19. Research and describe the effectiveness of the
following community health promotional strategies.
19.1
Beyondblue: Beyond Blue subsequently established the Beyond Barriers Strategy to
encourage men to take action against depression and anxiety through reducing barriers to
seeking support. This strategy is been undertaken as the Australian males have higher
tendency to do suicide. The strategy is really effecting in reducing down the stress and
anxiety which has been faced by the people from Australia. It has assisted in enhancing the
health and well-being of people.
19.2
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program:
It can be described as the population based screening program which has been
developed to analyses the signs and symbols of bowel cancer in certain age group.
This program lays emphasis on people who are above the age 50. The main aim of
this screening program is to detect bowel cancer at an early stage and also to
reduce down the problems which can be caused to patients because of this disease.
This program is really effective in enhancing health outcome of people who are at
urge of developing it (Richards and et.al., 2018).

20. Describe the key focus of Betty Neuman's System
model in relation to nursing care.
The Betty Neuman’s system model has the main focus on the open
system which are been related to stressors in environment. In this
the also make use of primary, secondary and tertiary nursing
interventions so that the diseases can be prevented and also the
health outcome of the patient can be improved. In this they also
deal with various type of variables such as psychological,
emotional, social and is also been safeguarded by the various type
of residence. In this the client is been protected by the lines of
residents. It basically analyse ones relationship with the capacity to
handle the stress. It also check and keep focus upon the factors
which are dynamic in nature and also this theory was been
developed by the community health nurse, counselor and professor.
This model has also laid the focus on about how dealing with the
stress is really necessary so that an individual can make the better
decisions.
21. Your colleague appears unhappy and disturbed. When
asked why, your colleague replies that she has received
culturally inappropriate comments from her supervisor.
How could you deal with this situation?
In this situation I will advice my colleague that if she has receive
culturally inappropriate comments from her supervisor. She could
communicate with supervisor about the problems faced by her. This
will assist her in making supervisor know about the cultural values
which needs to be followed by her. This will assist in enhancing the
relationship between her and supervisor. She can also tell her
supervisor about how she is hurt because of the comments which
has been said by him. This advice will help in solving the issues
which has been faced by them. It will also help in making my
colleague more satisfied while working with supervisor.
22. The Australian healthcare system had evolved over
time to cater for the needs of its people. Briefly describe
the development and historical context of the Australian
health care system (in 130-150 words).
It has been analysed that on Feb 1, 1984 Australian medical care
system was been introduced. It was been opened by the Prime
Minister Robert Hawke. Although the public health care department
was been established in 1904. In this the system is been involved in
providing the better health care services to the people who have
been suffering from the chronic health problems. After this there
were various acts related to the infectious disease which was also
been passed on so that the health outcome of people from Australia
enhances. The NSW health commission discusses various issues
including the infectious disease and also the about the quality of
food that has been supplied in the hospital. In 1983 area health
boards was been developed. Also after this the act related to
providing education to people related to disease was also been
developed so that the health outcome increases.
23. Briefly describe 2 (two) roles of the interdisciplinary
health care team in health service delivery (in 30-40 words).

24. Describe 2 (two) strengths and 2 (two) weaknesses of
the Australian health care system, making references to
your local State/Territory (in 40-50 words each).
Strength: The strength of Australian health care system is that all
primary health care professionals, nurses and counselors work
together so that they can provide better health care services to
those who are suffering. This has assisted them in enhancing the
health outcome of people.
The other strength is they are also been involved in implementing
initiatives to reduce the health inequalities.
Weakness: They do not have the adequate and skilled staff to deal
with the growing ageing population. The staff members are also
facing highest amount of the work pressures.
And unacceptable inequities in health outcomes and access to
services.
25. How do Enrolled Nurses work to uphold the following
Principles of Primary Care and Wellness? (In 30-40 words)
25.1
Universal access to care and coverage on the basis of need (principle of primary
healthcare): In this the nurses needs to make sure that they are engaged in
providing the treatment to patients on basis of their needs. They also need to
make sure that consent of patients is been taken while providing them with the
treatment. Nurses also needs to ensure that care is been provided without any
discrimination.
25.2
Positivity is empowerment (principle of wellness): It has been evaluated that nurses while
treating the patients needs to be positive and also motivate them to be positive. This will
assist them in making treatment more effective and also the quality of life of patient will be
enhanced with the help of this attitude of nurses (Papastavrou, Efstathiou and Andreou,
2016).
26. It is important for you to understand the impact of
various health and illness factors on people when delivering
care services. Briefly describe the links between the
following factors and a person's health:
26.1
Higher income and social status: Higher income and social status has the impact on various
health and illness factors when delivering care services. It has been analyzed that people
having higher income can have better access to services. They will also be living in the
better environment because of the higher social status. This can positive impact on the
health outcome of the people who are suffering from various health related problems.
26.2
Low education levels: This can also have the impact on person health outcome. If the person
has no knowledge related to the early signs and symptoms of the disease then the worsening
stage can be developed and also the health outcome of person can be hampered. They can
also face more severe health related problems.
26.3
Greater social support networks: This can also have the impact on health status of the
people. They can have access to better health care services. This will assist in enhancing
health outcome of the people. They can also get better treatment facilities which can assist
them in overcoming from the disease.
27. Describe how the availability of healthcare funding
and resource allocation impact the health care delivery in

Australia? (In 50-80 words).
The care funding and resource allocation in Australia can help in providing the better
resources to staff members, health care professionals. This can assist them in
providing better health care services. By this they will also be able to conduct
various health related programs to educate and increase the knowledge of people
related to early signs and symptoms of the diseases. The health care system of
Australia can also develop the e-facilities for providing better and quality health care
services.
28. Explain the impacts for healthcare delivery for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia (in
100-150 words).
The health care delivery system also has the impact on the people
from Torres and Strait Islander in Australia. They have made
program for these people so that the health inequities can be
reduced down. This has assisted them in enhancing health outcome
of the indigenous Australians. It has also helped in reducing the
inequities which existed among in the health care delivery system. It
has also been analyzed that because of the care funds various health
related programs are also been started so that these people can be
provided with better services. This has assisted in enhancing the
well-being of these people.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Papastavrou, E., Efstathiou, G. and Andreou, C., 2016. Nursing students’ perceptions of patient
dignity. Nursing ethics, 23(1), pp.92-103.
Rasheed, S.P., Younas, A. and Sundus, A., 2019. Self awareness in nursing: A scoping‐
review. Journal of clinical nursing, 28(5-6), pp.762-774.
Richards, D.A. and et.al., 2018. Fundamental nursing care: A systematic review of the evidence
on the effect of nursing care interventions for nutrition, elimination, mobility and
hygiene. Journal of clinical nursing, 27(11-12), pp.2179-2188.
Hofmeyer, A. and et.al., 2018. Teaching compassionate care to nursing students in a digital
learning and teaching environment. Collegian, 25(3), pp.307-312.
Gijsberts, M.J.H. and et.al., 2019. Spiritual care provided by nursing home physicians: a
nationwide survey. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care.
Jantzen, D., 2019. Refining nursing practice through workplace learning: A grounded
theory. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28(13-14), pp.2565-2576.