Current Primary Health Care Initiatives in Australia

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Analysis of the current PHC services and Initiatives that target MI
Description of the proposed Primary Health Care service to address MI
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The challenges that face humanity due to diseases remain common in the global arena. Particularly, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the most deadly ailments that kill and disable many Australians. The 40,888 key coronary problems recognized in 2007 were responsible for 30% of all fatalities. At the same time, 20% of deaths recorded in Western Australia were associated with heart problems. CDVs entail the consortium of diseases that emerge as a result of insufficient blood distribution to the heart (Department of Health Western Australia, 2009). The constriction that occurs in the coronary arteries hinders blood circulation. Most importantly, atherosclerosis causes the arteries to develop coronary constriction. Researchers argue that cases of Myocardial infarction (MI) are very common in the country. It emerges as a result of permanent destruction or death of sections of heart muscles. The destruction or death of such muscles is normally associated with inadequate blood circulation to the sections.

The extent to which MI is impacting Australians is well documented. The illness mostly affects individuals aged between 25 and 84. However, men are at elevated risk than women of contracting MI. Furthermore, MI is likely to attack men beginning at relatively younger age (Department of Health Western Australia, 2009). It has been indicated that MI affects both older women and men. However, 75% of older men are suffering from MI. In Australia, the illness affects more indigenous people. Indeed, higher mortalities resulting from MI and complications associated with MI have been recorded among the Aboriginals (Brown, 2012). Past studies indicate that Aboriginal people suffered more CDVs than other Australians. Almost half of all deaths resulting from MI occurred before patients arrived at healthcare centers. Most importantly, 25% of all MI-related deaths occurred within an hour after the onset of the symptoms in patients. Unfortunately, more deaths are occurring in remote areas in Australia than in urban places. Notably, death rates associated with coronary illnesses have diminished by approximately 40% in the last decade. This paper analyses the current primary health care (PHC) initiatives and services that target MI patients in Australia. It also suggests the approaches that would be applicable in improving the current healthcare services.

Analysis of the current PHC services and Initiatives that target MI

PHC MI Prevention services delivery through collaborative approaches

Successful management of MI requires collaborative structures of care. The collaborative efforts pull together diverse resources to facilitate improved patient accessibility to MI management services within appropriate times. Furthermore, effective management increases the chances of transferring patients to highly specialized healthcare centers (Department of Health Western Australia, 2009). The role played by diverse PHC service providers offering essential equipment cannot be underestimated. Many preventive services currently target MI. The prevention services are aimed at reducing the burden people suffer due to MI.

Health Promotion PHC services

Most PHC institutions are currently offering health promotion activities to lessen MI risk factors. The health promotion efforts are supported through many collaborative efforts (Demos, Kirchmann, Stoelwinder & McNeil, 2010). The Department of Health, not-for-profit health institutions, and Healthway are taking the lead in health promotion services. They support campaigns such as physical exercises, obesity deterrence, and youthful smoking initiation (Briffa, Maiorana, Allan, R, et al., 2006). The activities have strengthened awareness creation efforts on MI signs and emergency services management.

Emergency Evacuation of People who Present HI Symptoms

Early detection of MI in patients is very crucial for successful management of ill health. However, some people may present sudden MI symptoms immediately. Such patients require argent PHC service to stabilize them before they are taken to health institutions. Therefore, appropriate risk management activities are currently being used to respond to emergencies. Under primary healthcare, emergency evacuation services are provided to individuals presenting CVDs symptoms (Demos et al., 2010).

PHC services for secondary prevention of MI

Secondary prevention is crucial in the prevention of disease progression into major complications (National Heart Foundation of Australia, 2010). Most health institutions have created structures to enable patients with CDVs to receive ongoing evidence-based disease management (Demos et al., 2010). Furthermore, active referral systems such as optimum pharmaceutical management, coronary pain plan of action, and cardiac therapy are being encouraged. The Australian Government has developed a broad range of programs backed by policy approaches to enhance prevention and best management strategies of the disease.

Strengths of the Policy Backed PHC Services

The strengths of the programs backed by policies are noticeable. The government’s commitment to CVDs management and prevention has shown much strength. The government allocated $872.1 million during the 2009/10 budget to cater for health promotion (Demos et al., 2010). In this initiative, the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health (NPAPH) shall use the funds to address the escalating cases of unhealthy lifestyles among Australians (Council of Australian Governments, 2011). This will take place through establishing the foundations for appropriate lifestyles in institutions, workplaces, and within communities.

The government has established many agencies that are addressing specific issues in CVDs. The agencies are backed by policies and have shown tremendous achievements. The establishment of Australian National Preventive Health Agency (ANPHA) in 2011 is seen as a milestone as the new approach starts addressing overweight, alcohol, and tobacco consumption. Furthermore, the commitment to support an “Indigenous Chronic Disease Package” is hoped to develop preventive initiatives, early detection, and management of chronic illnesses including MI among the Aboriginal populations (Department of Health Western Australia, 2009).

Investment in Research

The government has invested massively in CVDs research initiatives through diverse agencies. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) presently has funds to initiate research initiatives in order to develop appropriate strategies for addressing CVDs including MI.

PHC initiatives for addressing MI

There are diverse PHC initiatives that focus on individuals and communities to minimize the development of MI. Healthy communities support the roll-out of local healthy lifestyle projects and escalate people’s participation in physical exercises (Jones, Fragar & Depczynski, 2009). Healthy Children initiative provides territory governments with funds to promote physical activities and eating of fruits and vegetables among youngsters in learning institutions and daycare centers (Briffa et al., 2006). Healthy workers initiative support fitness programs at workplaces. The program focuses on lessening the development of obesity through escalated physical exercises and healthy eating. The industry partnership program aims at encouraging agreement between government and employers on the creation and adoption of workplace policies consistent with national healthy living policies. The “National Eating Disorders Collaboration” facilitates the execution of countrywide reliable and inclusive approaches to prevention, timely intervention and feeding disorders management (Department of Health Western Australia, 2009).

Limitations of PHC Service and Initiatives

The management of MI in Australia lacks nationwide data. MI management in PHC settings faces major challenges particularly among the Aboriginals and Islanders. The cardiac rehabilitation activities have limitations because up to 70% of MI patients cannot access the appropriate services (Brown, 2012). The accessibility of services is hampered by distance to health institutions, transport problems, inconvenient hours, demoralized workforce, and age-inappropriate structures (Bunker, McBurney, Cox & Jelinek, 2007). The emergency evacuation and retrieval service providers have also limited the response rates. The service providers cover bigger areas thus, hindering their response to every warning (Department of Health Western Australia, 2009). Service delivery in rural settings is hampered by inadequate staff, equipment, and structures required for providing primary healthcare to MI patients. The data collections in major cardiac laboratories are not uniform. The data is not collated across different states. Prevention initiatives for MI have also faced diverse challenges associated with inadequate education that targets patients (National Heart Foundation of Australia, 2010).

Description of the proposed Primary Health Care service to address MI

Prioritize MI analysis and Secondary Prevention

PHC service providers should prioritize enrolling MI patients for a cardiac analysis program after attacks. The rationale for escalating MI analysis and secondary prevention is supported by the effectiveness of such initiatives, which are noticeable under small-scale implementations. Furthermore, scientific studies indicate that secondary prevention treatment lessens mortality rates among MI patients (Australian Indigenous Health Info Net, 2012). Educating patients regarding the significance of undertaking secondary prevention ensures continued drug administration and adherence following hospital discharge. Health institutions should execute protocols for medical appointments for all MI patients. Cardiac rehabilitation initiatives for MI patients should also take place on evenings, weekends, or home visits. The Australian government should scale up successful secondary prevention initiatives including “Choice of Health Options in Prevention of Cardiovascular Events” (CHOICE) (Neubeck, Redefern, Briffa, Bauman & Freedman, 2008).

Improvement in the Data Collection Techniques and Programs for Escalating Medical Value

There is need to establish a countrywide standardized system for the collection of medical data. The collected information should also include comments on patient characteristics (Briffa, Frank, Michael, Katzenellenbogen & Thompson, 2012). The rationale for this recommendation is supported by the notion that evidence and data inform planning processes aimed at developing strategies for managing MI among Australians. Furthermore, evidence gathering on clinical care processes and outcomes is potentially important in informing strategies for improving clinical effectiveness. The establishment of strategies for optimal information gathering and management should also focus on a broader programs approach. A data set for collecting standardized information such as MI patients’ features, research, management, and medical outcomes is crucial (Briffa et al., 2012).

Conclusion

Myocardial infarction, which is one of the notable CVDs, is widely reported in Australia. The disease is reportedly higher among aboriginal Australians than other population groups. There are various PHC services and initiatives that are aimed at preventing its development. The PHC services are implemented through collaborative approaches, health promotion activities, research, secondary prevention, and emergency evacuation. The strength of the PHC services emanates from their ability to meet MI patients’ health needs. It is recommended that secondary prevention and rehabilitation programs for diverse CVDs should be prioritized because of their significance in lessening their impact. Furthermore, standardized data collection designs for proper management and decision-making on MI service delivery are required to inform future planning.

References

Australian Indigenous Health Info Net. (2012). Improve secondary prevention programs for Aboriginal people with cardiovascular disease. Web.

Briffa, T., Frank, M., Michael, S., Katzenellenbogen, J and Thompson, P. (2012). Improving the cost-effectiveness of cardiovascular disease prevention in Australia: a modeling study. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 10(111), 1-6. Web.

Briffa, T., Maiorana, A., Allan, R, et al. (2006). On behalf of the Executive Working Group and National Forum Participants. National Heart Foundation of Australia Physical Activity Recommendations for People with Cardiovascular Disease. Sydney: National Heart Foundation of Australia.

Brown, A. (2012). Addressing Cardiovascular Inequalities among Indigenous Australians. Web.

Bunker, S., McBurney, H., Cox, H and Jelinek, M. (2007). Identifying participation rates at outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programs in Victoria, Australia. Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation. I, 41-43. Web.

Council of Australian Governments. (2011). National health reform agreement. Canberra: Council of Australian Governments.

Demos, L., Kirchmann, M., Stoelwinder, A and McNeil, J. (2010). Cost of myocardial infarction to the Australian community: a prospective, multicentre survey. Clinical Drug Investigation, 30(8), 533 – 543. Web.

Department of Health, Western Australia. (2009). The Model of Care for Acute Coronary Syndromes in Western Australia. Perth: Health Networks Branch, Department of Health, Western Australia.

Jones, S., Fragar, L and Depczynski, J. (2009). Community programs to improve cardiovascular health and cancer prevention: A preliminary review of programs in rural Australia. Web.

National Heart Foundation of Australia. (2010). Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. Web.

Neubeck, L., Redefern, J., Briffa, T., Bauman, A., Hare, D and Freedman, S. (2008). The CHOICE (Choice of Health Options In prevention of Cardiovascular Events) replication trial: study protocol. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 19(6), 334-8. Web.

Olson, D, Prvu Bettger, J., Alexander, K., Kendrick, A., Irvine, J., Wing, L, and Coeytaux, R., et al. (2011). Transition of Care for Acute Stroke and Myocardial Infarction Patients: From Hospitalization to Rehabilitation, Recovery, and Secondary Prevention. Rockville: AHRQ Publication.

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