Discharge against medical advice (DAMA), also referred to as self-discharge, occurs when an in-patient leaves a hospital or healthcare setting before discharge is advised by the treating provider. DAMA causes interruption of treatment therapies and is strongly associated with post-operative complications, increased morbidity and mortality, readmission, and increased healthcare expenditure. It is widely known that...

A well implemented and fully utilised electronic health record system should strengthen a health system by improving quality and safety, ensuring continuity of care and improved health outcomes as well as reducing waste and inefficiency in the health system.

This paper describes key features of hospital redesign processes in Australia by analysing Victorian, NSW and other models. It discusses frameworks and drivers of large scale change in health systems including challenges and barriers to success. The use of systems thinking and institutional entrepreneurship to support achieving change is described. Insights are provided to enable...

A number of policy initiatives aimed at reform of primary health care financing are currently either being debated nationally, or trialled in different jurisdictions. Commonwealth Government austerity and an interest from a wide range of stakeholders to mobilise capital from different parts of the economy have provided an incentive to explore new finance policy options...

In Australia, deaths as a result of dementia have now taken over cerebrovascular disease as the second leading cause of death. At present, over a quarter million Australians suffer from dementia and projected estimates indicate that the figure can reach a high of nearly one million by 2050. Diet and physical activity have been shown...