Medicare
What does the acronym PBS stand for?
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
What does the acronym NDIS stand for?
National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Identify at least 3 different examples of community services with the potential to improve a person's health outcomes.
What are the 2 main reasons for a patient's medical information being made public?
If there's a serious threat to public safety (e.g. specific threats made to others or the individual themselves) & if it'll help to prevent/reduce the threat to public health (e.g. people initially infected by the COVID-19 virus in March, 2020).
Identify an example of a service which is covered by Medicare, as well as one that isn't covered.
E.g. Medicare covers services such as GP visits, X-rays, minor surgical procedures, etc.
It doesn't cover services including ambulance services, most dental appointments, cosmetic surgery, etc.
Outline the role of the PBS.
A federal government-funded initiative which aims to provide Australians in need with cheaper, more affordable medicine & treatment options.
Whom is responsible for funding the NDIS?
Both federal & state/territory governments.
How could sporting/recreational clubs help to improve the spiritual & emotional health & wellbeing of Australian youth? Refer to specific examples in your answer...
E.g. by joining a local sporting club, youth may establish new friends which can foster a sense of belonging to a community (spiritual). By socialising with new people & broadening their friendship network, youth may improve their ability to recognise emotions in others (emotional).
Outline 2 different responsibilities of a patient within the Australian healthcare system.
Any of: report any safety concerns immediately to the healthcare professional, treating medical staff with respect & asking questions relating to costs before treatment.
What is the name of the support system (3 words) in Australia which provides financial assistance to people manage any out-of-pocket expenses by making Medicare-funded services cheaper for the rest of the year?
Medicare Safety Net.
Identify 3 healthcare professionals whom are able to prescribe PBS-listed medications.
Doctors/GPs, Dentists, Optometrists, Midwives, Nurses, etc.
Identify the 3 criteria for someone to qualify for NDIS funding.
Age (must be under 65 years of age), residency status (must be an Australia citizen) & disability status (must have a lifelong impairment which significantly limits participation in everyday life & which requires ongoing support).
Explain how the Secondary School Immunisation Program (a program which provides free vaccines to government secondary schools via local councils) could promote the physical & mental health of youth.
By being immunised against various communicable (transmittable) diseases such as Influenza & Hepatitis A, youth will develop a stronger immune system (physical) in response to subsequent exposures to such diseases & they may be less stressed & anxious about catching such diseases in the future, thereby improving their mental health.
Identify at least 3 different rights of patients within the Australian healthcare system.
Any of: privacy, safety, access, respect, partnership, information & feedback.
What proportion/percentage of the schedule fee for specialists (e.g. dermatologists, cardiologists, obstetricians, etc.) is covered by Medicare?
85%.
Outline the PBS Safety Net.
It reduces the cost of a range of common medicines for individuals & families by enabling people to pay a lower concession rate ($7.70 instead of $31.60) for medicines once they've paid a certain amount on medicine in a calendar year ($1,647.90).
Identify at least 4 examples of 4 services which may be provided to a person via the NDIS.
E.g. daily home activities (e.g. showering, changing, toileting, etc.), transport (e.g. modified vehicles to accommodate a wheelchair), mobility (e.g. walking frames, wheelchairs, etc.), workplace/school assistive technologies (e.g. voice-to-text, etc.), speech pathology, education support, etc.
Identify 4 examples of community services within the surrounding Mitcham area which could improve a person's health outcomes.
E.g. Mitcham Private Hospital can provide people with relevant medical advice to reduce rates of overweight & obesity. Mitcham Football Club could enable players to improve their bone density by engaging in frequent training & matches. Mitcham Primary School also plays a role in the community by increasing students' health literacy by sharing information about optimal nutrition. Lastly, the Mitcham Bowls Club provides players with a place where they can socialise with others, which can help to reduce feelings of loneliness & social isolation.
Allied health services (e.g. physiotherapists, dentists, podiatrists, etc.) provide care to patients in a specific field, but aren't typically fully covered by Medicare. Alternative health services (e.g. naturopathy, massage, Chinese medicine, etc.) are often used instead of or alongside traditional healthcare services, although the risk of spending money on treatments with limited effectiveness is comparatively higher.
What are the 3 ways in which Medicare is funded?
Via the Medicare levy (an additional 2% tax placed on the taxable income of most taxpayers), the Medicare levy surcharge (an extra tax placed on people whom earn more than $97,000 per year & whom don't have private health insurance) & general taxation.
Explain how the PBS could improve youth's health & wellbeing by making reference to at least 3 different dimensions.
E.g. if youth can access the necessary drugs needed to manage a condition such as Type 1 Diabetes for a discounted rate, they'll have more money in their account, which may reduce their levels of financial-related stress & anxiety (mental). This additional money may mean that people are better able to afford to attend cafes & restaurants with friends, thus improving their social health. By accessing the necessary medication for Type 1 Diabetes, youth will likely have more stable blood glucose levels, which will reduce the strain on their cardiovascular system (physical).
Explain how a person's social health & wellbeing of youth can be promoted by the support services available via the NDIS.
E.g. eligible youth may be better able to access speech pathology appointments via the NDIS, which may help them to improve their self-confidence & therefore reduce the barriers they face to establishing & maintaining friendships at school/work.
Provide an example of a local community service which has the capacity to affect (either positively or negatively) each dimension of youth's health & wellbeing.
Physical: gyms/sporting clubs/swimming pools, doctors, dentists, physios, etc.
Mental: libraries, Headspace (& other mental health organisations), art galleries, etc.
Emotional: sporting clubs, libraries, art galleries, etc.
Social: sporting clubs/gyms, cinemas, theatres, local parks & gardens, etc.
Spiritual: volunteer organisations (e.g. St. John Ambulance), places of worship, etc.
In an average day in Australia, approximately how many hospitalisations occur? (answers within 2,000 will be deemed correct)
30,500 hospitalisations.