A systematic Review on Primary Healthcare Development in Australia 2022

A systematic Review on Primary Healthcare
Development in Australia
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A systematic Review on Primary Healthcare Development in
Australia
Abstract
Background: The study focused on primary health care services in Australia.
The underlying principles of primary health care rely heavily on the Alma Ata
declaration and definition. In supporting this, the majority of the governments
have aligned their health services towards primary health care goals advocated
by the World Health Organization.
Aim: The study aimed at assessing the primary health care in Australia towards
access, organization and level of collaboration.
Design: Systematic review of the literature was performed for studies
undertaken in 2010 to 2020 in established databases were undertaken.
Method: Preliminary scoping of searches in the Medline, Cochrane and EBSCO.
An inclusion and exclusion criteria was developed to filter the papers based on
the research objectives, aim of the study.
Results: Data was extracted from 10 studies which met the inclusion criteria
and relevancy of the study aim. The synthesis demonstrated that Australia has
covered large breath in terms of delivering primary health care, however, there
are still persistent challenges covering the diverse population and meeting the
needs of persons with chronic diseases.
Conclusion: Despite the Australian primary health care meeting the
international standards, there is a need for adoption of comprehensive primary
health care able to address the needs of diverse population and population with
chronic health care issues
Keywords: World Health Organization, Alma Ata, Primary Health Care,
Comprehensive primary health care
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Table of Contents
Abstract................................................................................................................. 2
Table of Contents.................................................................................................. 3
Introduction........................................................................................................... 4
Objectives of study............................................................................................. 5
Methods................................................................................................................. 5
Prisma Flow chart............................................................................................... 6
Inclusion and exclusion criteria..........................................................................6
Method and design............................................................................................. 7
Results................................................................................................................... 7
Findings................................................................................................................. 8
Discussion.............................................................................................................. 9
Limitations and conclusion.................................................................................. 10
References........................................................................................................... 11
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Introduction
Primary health care refers to essential care which is provided based on
scientific, sound and socially acceptable means. This offers an avenue for
universal access to health care to all individuals and families. This is enhanced
by the means of full participation and costs in a manner that allows affordability
to both the community and the country at large. This entrenches the spirit of
self-reliance and self-determination which is in line with World Health
Organization Alma Atta Declaration (WHO, 1978). More essentially, primary
health care is an approach which is beyond the normal traditional health system
and focuses on the equity of health through social policy actions (Starfield,
Barbara, 2011
). According to WHO, the goals of PHC are defined in three
contexts; empowering of the communities, multi-sectorial social policy action
and primary care essential functions like the pillar of integrated health care
services. Countries globally have been striving to align their health care systems
towards Alma Atta principles and declaration on health for all. In the interest of
ensuring primary health care for all WHO has been partnering with various
countries globally in strengthening avenues of reduction of exclusion and social
disparities, health care organization, integration of health actors, pursuant of
collaborative models and increasing stakeholder participation in the health care
avenues.
In Australia, primary health care encompasses wider collaborations
among various providers and players across the government and non-
governmental bodies. The primary health care is arranged on various levels, the
primary level allows for inter collaborative approach by health care providers in
providing comprehensive and person-centred care. Majority of the Australian
receive care through their general practitioners and other allied health care
providers. Primary health care has been the cornerstone of population health. It
is provided either at home or in community-based settings. The fundamental
types of services provided are cross-sectional ranging from health promotion,
prevention, screening, early intervention avenues, treatment and management.
The primary health care settings in Australia is presumed to be target-specific in
that it aligns to specific health conditions and lifestyle conditions, or special
population groups such as the indigenous and culturally diverse populations.
Further, the operational frameworks often differ across states and regions (The
Department of Health, online).
NUR329 S1 2020. ASSESSMENT 2.
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