Changes in public perceptions and experiences of the Australian health‐care system

A decade of change

Bibliographic Data

ID19508965
AuthorsLouise A Ellis (0000-0001-6902-4578, Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science Australian Institute of Health Innovation Macquarie University Sydney NSW Australia, corresponding author), Chiara Pomare (0000-0002-9118-7207, Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science Australian Institute of Health Innovation Macquarie University Sydney NSW Australia), James Gillespie (0000-0002-0355-4178, Menzies Centre for Health Policy Sydney School of Public Health The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia), Jo Root (Consumers Health Forum of Australia Canberra ACT Australia), James Ansell (0000-0001-5813-0623, Consumers Health Forum of Australia Canberra ACT Australia), J Holt (0000-0003-3180-5074, Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science Australian Institute of Health Innovation Macquarie University Sydney NSW Australia), Leanne Wells (0009-0002-4223-115X, Consumers Health Forum of Australia Canberra ACT Australia), Yvonne Tran (0000-0002-1741-4205, Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science Australian Institute of Health Innovation Macquarie University Sydney NSW Australia), Jeffrey Braithwaite (0000-0003-0296-4957, Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science Australian Institute of Health Innovation Macquarie University Sydney NSW Australia), Yvonne Zurynski (0000-0001-7744-8717, Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science Australian Institute of Health Innovation Macquarie University Sydney NSW Australia)
Year2021
Volume24
Issue1
Pages95-110
Publication date2021-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hex.13154
PMID33215857
OpenAlexW3101351587
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited14

BACKGROUND: The views and experiences of the Australian public are an important barometer of the health system. This study provides key findings about the changing views held by Australians over time regarding their individual experiences and perceptions of the overall performance of the health system. METHODS: A population-based online survey was conducted in 2018 (N = 1024). Participants were recruited through market research panels. The results were compared with previous Australian population survey data sets from 2008 (N = 1146), 2010 (N = 1201) and 2012 (N = 1200), each of which used different population samples. The survey included questions consistent with previous surveys regarding self-reported health status, and questions about use, opinions and experiences of the health system. RESULTS: (2, N = 4543) = 96.59, P < .001). In 2018, areas for attention continued to include the following: the need for more doctors, nurses and other health workers (29.0%); lower costs for care or Orion medicines (27.8%); more access to care (13.1%); and enhancements in residential aged care (17.3% rated these services as 'bad' or 'very bad'). CONCLUSIONS: This research suggests that Australians' perceptions of their health-care system have significantly improved over the last decade; however, concerns have emerged over access to medicines, inadequate workforce capacity and the quality of aged care facilities. Our study highlights the value of periodically conducting public sentiment surveys to identify potential emerging health system problems

Health care · Healthcare system · Perception · Political science · Public health · Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes · Healthcare Policy and Management · Medicine · Nursing · Primary Care and Health Outcomes · Psychology

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Open DOIOpen Access