Introduction
Even prior to the shock of Covid-19, the Australian Department of the Treasury had forecasted that healthcare costs would cannibalise State revenues by 2046, leaving no funding for other industries, including schools, roads, public transport, police, prisons and emergency services. Australia’s ageing population, increasing incidence of chronic disease, new technology and consumerism fuel greater demand for healthcare.
Post Covid-19, there will be an even more heightened focus on health and well-being, coupled with an appetite for new models of care.
On the supply side, healthcare infrastructure, services and behaviours are slow to adapt. Despite our best efforts, our health care system remains hospital-centric, activity-focused and reactive. Only half of all common chronic health conditions are well managed.
Value-based primary care models demonstrate a better approach to patient care and a path to greater sustainability for health systems around the world. These models demonstrate a 20% to 30% reduction in hospital admissions, along with improvements in patient outcomes and experience.
A pilot of value-based primary care called Osana has been implemented in Australia and is showing promising results. This pilot replicates successful case examples abroad that ensure clinicians have accountability for improving health outcomes.
This white paper analyses the key challenges of the current healthcare system and the opportunities that exist to improve outcomes. It highlights the benefits of a new GP model and makes a case for investing in value-based primary care.
Read the full Osana White paper here.