Geoff Sayer wrote:
There is a sporting phrase "Get into the game or get out of the stadium."
I agree! There is also a relevant quotation attributed to one of Horst's
countrymen Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902):
"Medicine is a social science and politics is merely medicine practised
on a larger stage".
Because I hold similar views to Andre I'm standing as an ALP candidate
for Kooyong in the forthcoming Federal Election (the reasons are on my
web site below).
People might also be interested in ALP E-health policy (appended).
It's broad-brush but it does aim to deliver!
Cheers
Ken
--
Dr. Ken Harvey
Endorsed ALP Candidate for Kooyong
35 Mary St.
Hawthorn, Vic, 3122
http://www.medreach.com.au
VOIP: +61 (03) 9029 0634; Mobile +61 (04) 1918 1910
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ALP National Platform and Constitution 2007
Harnessing New Technology and Managing Patient Information
67. Labor sees major opportunities for new technology to make health
services more effective, more accessible and more consumer friendly.
Technological change needs to be carefully managed with close attention
to the social and ethical implications and the need for privacy for
personal health records. Labor will ensure that commercial interests do
not subvert intended health outcomes and that decisions are made on the
basis of clinical and cost effectiveness determined by the best
available research evidence.
68. Labor will, in collaboration with State and Territory governments,
build information technology and communication infrastructure and
systems that improve the decisions made by consumers, clinicians and
health service managers about care, service delivery and policy. The
purpose of this investment will be to:
# build accessible knowledge bases from quality data systems, libraries
of research evidence and the experience of consumers and professionals;
# enhance online communication between consumers and professionals, and
primary and acute care settings, regardless of location, to improve
health outcomes and service quality; and
# create data management systems that monitor population health and the
safety, quality and efficiency of health services.
69. Labor will ensure that appropriate training is undertaken by health
professionals to develop and maintain the skills necessary to use these
knowledge bases, health records and communication systems.
70. Labor believes the development and implementation of health
knowledge management systems that include electronic health records and
decision support systems for evidence based practice are central to
improving the safety and quality of health services. However, these new
tools cannot be widely used until satisfactory arrangements are in place
to protect security and privacy.
71. Labor will ensure every Australian has a personal electronic health
record that is privacy protected. Labor will develop a strong privacy
regime built around a unique patient identifier based on the Medicare
card. Legislation will prohibit this number being used for any other
purpose and access will depend on authorisation from both the patient
and the doctor. A range of other safeguards will be incorporated in
legislation, which will be developed after a public inquiry into all the
issues.
72. It is critical that health providers can communicate effectively
with each other while maintaining patient confidentiality. Labor will
provide leadership in the development of national, secure health data
standards and will establish a common framework for health record
systems. The delay in establishing this infrastructure is inhibiting the
delivery of quality health services in Australia and contributing to
unnecessary adverse events.
Specifically Labor will ensure:
# the use of tele-health to give rural clinicians direct access to city
based specialists and the resources of major teaching hospitals;
# the use of secure electronic networks to give clinicians and
pharmacists access to high quality drug information sources; and
# the use of electronic prescriptions to speed up and reduce errors in
communications between clinicians and pharmacists.
73. Labor will give Medicare Australia greater powers to analyse data to
examine variations in practices, to enable the promotion of professional
practice based on the best available evidence from research. Clinicians
will be supported in their evidence-based practice through the
development of appropriate, accessible clinical guidelines and pathways
of care.
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