Australian Health Journal

Misinformation impacts routine vaccines

More significant changes in recent years have been health-related misinformation eroding trust in healthcare professionals, leading to people seeking alternative treatments or avoiding medical advice altogether. This can make it more difficult for healthcare professionals to provide effective treatment and care.

Recent vaccines delivered as part of the COVID-19 response, are having a consequential impact on the uptake of routine vaccines.

Australian Health Journal spoke with Dr Paul Griffin, an Infectious Diseases Physician and Microbiologist at Mater Health, and who has been involved in over 150 clinical trials in the field of infectious disease.

Paul talks about the importance of having reputable sources of information that can used to encourage people to understand what is involved in clinical trials and the roles of vaccines.

Primary care remodelled

Tracey Johnson is the CEO of Inala Primary Care, a not-for-profit general practice located in Inala serving approximately 7000 patients; 4400 of whom attend clinic regularly. Inala is a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland and has a population of great cultural and linguistic diversity, with just under 40% of residents speaking English at home. It is also one of Queensland’s most socioeconomically marginalised urban areas.

Australian Health Journal spoke with Tracey on the role of Inala Primary care in reducing hospital admissions.

Keeping elderly out of hospital

Pioneer in health care, Geriatrician Professor Susan Kurrle, Curran Professor in Health Care of Older People at the Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney AO spoke after receiving the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association 2022 Sidney Sax medal award.

The Sidney Sax medal is awarded for outstanding contributions to the development and improvement of Australia’s healthcare system.

Pharmacy led men’s urological health

Men’s urological needs refer to the medical and surgical conditions that affect the male urinary tract system and reproductive organs.

A urologist can address these concerns, however a pharmacy-led model of care developed by Brad Butt, called Mens Health Downunder has offered an alternative to certain urological needs of the male adult population over the past 10 years.

Australian Health Journal met with Brad to hear about his journey, Mens Health Downunder and the impact the pharmacy-led model of care has had on patient’s urological as well as mental health.

Jamie Stanistreet talks Medical Technology

Jamie Stanistreet
Retired Managing Director Medtronic Australia and New Zealand
talks Medical Technology in Australia and the Asia-Pacific

Dental and oral health care priorities for the elderly

In 2023, there are a number of changes occurring in dental services including the start of a new Senate inquiry and new registered nurses in residential aged care. Yet in the meantime there are gaps and delays in dental and oral health interventions for elderly Australians, unless training is more widely deployed.

Australian Health Journal spoke to Leonie Short, a dental therapist working for Seniors Dental Care Australia on what she considers are dental and oral health priorities for the elderly, based on her work in the aged, home and disability sectors.

Australasian College of Paramedicine

The Australasian College of Paramedicine (the College) is the peak professional body representing and supporting paramedics across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand through knowledge, events, research, advocacy and much more.

The College is future-focused and advocates for the broader integration and utilisation of paramedicine across our health systems and the adoption of sustainable innovative models of paramedic practice to deliver holistic, person-centred care and improved health outcomes for communities throughout Australasia.

MEDIA PARTNER SINCE 2023

Dentist creates app to democratise oral health care

In this People In Health Care segment, Dr Gadiyar spoke to Australian Health Journal on how she hopes the app will help increase the number of people seeking dental treatment from the current 47% level in Australia. To date, 120,000 users have downloaded the app with more than 50 dental practices signed up with Smilo.ai to receive individual enquiries or seek dental treatment.

Adjunct Professor Alanna Geary talks Nursing Leadership

Adjunct Professor Alanna Geary FACN,
Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer,
Metro North Hospital Hospital & Health Service, Queensland
talks Nursing Leadership

Improving access to osteopathic services and integrated care models

The Chief Executive Officer of Osteopathy Australia, Antony Nicholas spoke with Australian Health Journal about:

– Involvement in the Strengthening Medicare Task Force
– The unique skills osteopaths have that can address the chronic disease burden
– Current workforce issues around osteopaths and if enough are coming through via student placements
– How uploading data to My Health Record by osteopaths could assist team-based care of patients
– How the value of osteopaths in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) could be better understood and better access for residents
– The recommendations around aged care access to allied health services, including osteopathy
– The recommendations around consumer access to osteopaths and GP referrals
– Other osteopathy recommendations in the upcoming Federal Budget

In the lead up to the Australian Federal Budget in May 2023, Australian Health Journal reached out to peak health industry bodies to hear about their priorities, either noted in pre-budget submissions lodged with Federal Government in January 2023 or in recent forums such as the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.

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