Asia-Pacific Journal of Health Management (ACHSM)
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Differences in the Management and Use of Health Services in Australia Using Publicly Available Data: Comparisons between New South Wales and Victoria
No full textIntroduction: Differences in health service utilisation between States are noted in publicly reported data. The national averages for health service usage and health related actions in Australia may mask differences in the management and provision of health services among the states and territories. Although the utilisation of health services tends to rise with age, the extent of this and other factors has not been determined at the state level. This study will analyse these differences for the two largest states in Australia, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria.
Objectives: The purpose of the study is to examine specific features of health service provision and its management in New South Wales and Victoria. Using publicly available data the study analysed differences in the organisation, management, and expenditures of health services.
Design: The study uses data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), focusing on the 2021 census.
Findings: The study highlights differences in health service utilisation and management between New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria. Victoria had higher hospital service use and more health service employees. Victoria also had higher health service expenditure per capita. The findings underscore the need for tailored strategies in policy development, resource allocation, and health service planning to address the unique needs of each state.
Implications: The study highlights differences in health service management and utilisation between NSW and Victoria.These findings are relevant for policy development, resource allocation, and planning of health services.The study provides a basis for further research, particularly of a qualitative nature, to explore the identified differences in more detail
Identifying Key Factors Affecting Estimating General Practitioner Workforce Requirements with A System Dynamics Approach: A scoping review
No full textBackground: The objective of this study is to identify the key factors influencing general practitioners' estimates using a system dynamics approach. This analysis is crucial for understanding workforce dynamics and informing healthcare policy. Therefore, a study was conducted with the aim of identifying key factors influencing the estimation of general practitioners using a system dynamics approach.
Methods:This study conducted a scoping review of articles related to the healthcare workforce and general practitioners. Relevant articles were sourced from international databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science, covering the period from 2000 to 2024, with full-text access available. An inductive approach was employed to analyze the findings, allowing for deeper insights beyond simple aggregation.
Results: 18 final studies out of 7,397 initially identified studies were included in the present research. The findings identified 77 variables and factors as Exogenous and Indigenous. Exogenous variables in the healthcare domain are classified into two main categories: demographic variables and health system variables. Indigenous variables are categorized into two primary groups: educational and workforce variables.
Conclusions: The findings provide a comprehensive framework and variables for the healthcare workforce by integrating demographic changes, labor market dynamics, and professional development. Accurate labor force estimation depends on high-quality data, which poses challenges due to regional differences and constant changes, making effective evidence-based workforce planning and policy development essential through dynamic system thinking
Environmental Sustainability Competitions: Engaging healthcare staff in sustainable and financially beneficial initiatives
No full textClinical care is a major source of healthcare’s greenhouse gases. Health service professionals have a role in reducing this impact through adopting low-carbon models of care and addressing low-value care. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of an environmental sustainability competition in engaging staff to lead sustainable and financially beneficial quality improvement projects.
In 2022, the Royal Melbourne Hospital launched an environmental sustainability competition open to all staff. In 2023, it expanded to include Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Women’s Hospital, with resources and support from the University of Melbourne. Participant surveys provided feedback and assessed the value of provided resources.
In 2022, 13 projects prevented 2.5 million kg CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2e) and diverted 250,000 items from landfill, with an added financial benefit of approximately 160,000. Sustained 2022 projects resulted in a cumulative savings of $800,000. Participants valued the resources and were motivated to continue initiatives but suggested formal sustainability education to enhance future projects.
Competitions effectively engaged staff in sustainable healthcare, yielding significant environmental and financial savings. Enhanced resources and education may further improve engagement and outcomes. 
Competency Model for Allied Health Manager – An Interconnected Nature
No full textObjective: This paper presents management competencies required for Allied Health Managers (AHMs).
Methods: An exploratory mixed-method study using a quantitative survey questionnaire followed by a series of qualitative semi-structured interviews was employed for this research. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data, and thematic analysis was used to extract relevant data from the transcripts.
Settings: The study was undertaken in five acute hospitals within one of the largest metropolitan Local Health Districts in New South Wales, Australia. A total of 29 surveys were completed and sixteen AHMs and deputy AHMs were interviewed.
Results: Thirty-one competencies were identified as essential for AHMs and they were categorised into core, meta and managerial competencies. There is a layered, hierarchical and interconnected relationship between the three categories. The core and meta competencies form the foundation for the mobilisation and application of those managerial skills and knowledge. This relationship forms the key features of the “Interconnected Nature of Allied Health Manager Competency Model” (The Model).
Conclusion: This paper presents the competencies required for AHMs and their interconnected relationship. This resulted in the creation of the Model. These findings address a knowledge gap in succession and development planning for AHMs. At a practice level, this research finding can be used in mentoring and coaching AHMs in the workplace. At an educational level, this can be used as a tool in teaching at the postgraduate level for AHMs
Cost Effectiveness of Contracting Out Vaccination Services in Two Districts of Sindh, Pakistan
No full textObjectives: To determine the differences in costs of providing vaccination services in contracted and non-contracted primary care facilities, and to analyze their effectiveness using vaccination volume data
Design: Comparative case study
Setting: The study was conducted from October to December 2024 in two contracted and two non-contracted districts in Sindh Province, Pakistan. Five primary healthcare centers were selected from each district. The CORE PLUS tool was used to estimate the costs.
Main outcome measures: Data on actual vaccination volumes, standard treatment guidelines, catchment population, staff salaries, vaccines and supplies, work distribution time, and operating costs were collected for a period of one year. Annual average costs and vaccination service volumes per 10,000 population were estimated and compared between contracted and non-contracted facilities. The incremental cost effectives ratio (ICER) was calculated by dividing the incremental costs by the incremental vaccination service volumes per 10,000 population.
Results: The overall annual standard cost of vaccination services per 10000 population was 14.8% higher in contracted facilities. Contracted facilities spent significantly more on salaries (p=0.028) and operating costs (p<0.001). A positive difference of 559.86 incremental vaccination doses per 10,000 population was observed in contracted facilities. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) indicates that to provide one extra dose of vaccine, an additional 1.87 US137.12, which was within the threshold for contracting out to be a cost effective intervention.
Conclusion: Contracting vaccination services resulted in higher service provision costs but was also effective in increasing service volumes
Quality of Life and Job Satisfaction Among Schoolteachers in Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic
No full textObjective: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was one of the greatest global health threats of recent times. As many governments imposed lockdowns, schools closed and shifted their work environment and mode of instruction to online education. However, teachers’ quality of life and job satisfaction during this period have not been thoroughly studied. This study aimed to investigate schoolteachers’ health-related quality of life.
Design: Using convenience sampling, an online cross-sectional survey was conducted from the first week of September to the first week of October 2020.
Main outcome measures: The main outcome measures were quality of life (mental and physical health), evaluated using the 12-item Health Survey (SF-12 ), and job satisfaction, assessed using the Caprara Teachers’ Job Satisfaction Instrument .
Results: Significantly lower perceived physical and mental health (P < 0.001) was reported in teachers who were female, older, and those with health conditions, whereas job satisfaction was not associated with demographic factors.
Conclusion: Saudi schoolteachers experienced suboptimal health-related quality of life levels during the pandemic . Therefore, they represent an important target group for future occupational health interventions. Enhancing teachers’ occupational health should be incorporated into national sustainable health strategies
Determination of Related Factors and Career Problems in Nursing: A descriptive and cross-sectional study
No full textObjective: Career planning is a process empowered by the skills and experiences that enable the nurse to develop as a professional and achieve goals. Therefore, determining the factors affecting career planning is of great importance for the career development of nurses. This study aims to describe the career problems of nurses and the related factors in Türkiye.
Material and Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 400 nurses working in Türkiye. To collect the data, the Introductory Characteristics Form and the Career Problems in Nursing Scale were collected.
Results: Nurses' career problems scale mean total score was 79.06±26.68. Factors affecting nurses' career problems; educational status, institution, position, the working year, working hours, being willing and satisfied with the profession, personality structure, supporting the institution to make a career, burnout, and chronic fatigue.
Conclusion: In the study, it was found that the career problems of nurses were at a moderate level. It is recommended to provide consultancy and training that nurse need in career planning and development. In this context, it is very important for nurse managers to give importance to the career development of nurses and to support the necessary nurses in this regard
Leadership and Reform in Transitioning Health Systems: Challenges and Imperatives in Australia, New Zealand, and Beyond
No full textIn recent years, the landscape of global healthcare has been evolving at a rapid pace, driven by technological advancements, demographic shifts, and changing societal needs. Countries around the world are grappling with similar challenges and trying to navigate the complexities of providing equitable, efficient, and high-quality healthcare to their populations......
Is the United States ready for Universal Healthcare?
No full textThe debate over universal healthcare in the United States remains a deeply polarizing issue, with advocates and critics presenting compelling arguments. This article explores the readiness of the U.S. for universal healthcare by examining its current healthcare system—an intricate mix of private and public insurance—alongside the challenges of high costs, inequitable access, and administrative inefficiencies. Drawing comparisons with healthcare models in countries like Australia, the UK, Canada, and Sweden, the article highlights global best practices, including universal coverage, equity-focused policies, and cost control mechanisms.
While the U.S. excels in medical innovation, advanced technology, and patient choice, it struggles with fragmented care and systemic inefficiencies, leaving room for significant improvement. The article presents actionable steps, such as expanding affordable access, simplifying administrative processes, addressing health disparities, and prioritizing preventive care. It also explores the feasibility of hybrid models that blend universal coverage with private-sector innovation.
Ultimately, the path to universal healthcare in the U.S. depends on balancing equity, cost, and choice while addressing the unique cultural and systemic challenges of a diverse nation. This article serves as a call to action for meaningful reforms to create a healthcare system that is fair, accessible, and sustainable for all Americans
The Phenomenon of Waiting to Know: The lived experience of adults exposed and tested for SARS-CoV-2
No full textObjective: The study explored the lived experience of adults exposed and tested for SARS-CoV-2 while waiting for their test results.
Methods: A Husserlian phenomenological approach was utilized to capture the participants’ experience as they answered the question “What is the experience like to be waiting for your SARS-CoV 2 results?”. Purposive sampling was done and twelve participants were interviewed. Colaizzi’s method was then utilized to analyze the data.
Results: Four emergent themes were discovered namely: (1) feeling negative emotions, (2) interrupted physiologic patterns, (3) strengthening physical health, and (4) managing mental health.
Conclusions: The experience was filled with negative emotions with changes in physiological patterns, but it opened avenues for enhancing physical and mental well-being. Findings suggest care interventions including technology-driven approaches during waiting periods, especially in emerging diseases