Pillars and principles of AMA’s Vision for Australia’s Health

A sustainable and thriving general practice at the heart of primary care

General practice is the cornerstone of successful primary healthcare, underpinning population health outcomes. It is key to ensuring a high-quality, equitable, and sustainable health system. National and international research shows a well-funded and resourced general practice sector is pivotal for the success of primary healthcare, improving the health outcomes of individuals and communities. It also shows it can create significant savings through better care, greater efficiency, and by reducing the burden on other more expensive parts of the health system.

Public hospitals that are funded to provide high-quality and timely care

The provision of timely elective and emergency treatment in public health systems is crucial in ensuring patients receive the care they need while minimising costs for both patients and the healthcare system. Investing in timely treatment can prevent the need for more costly medical interventions, as patients are less likely to develop complications or other associated health conditions that may require more expensive surgeries, extended hospital stays, or readmissions to hospital. Additionally, investing in hospital programs that support the timely discharge of patients from hospitals or provide out-of-hospital care can generate savings as well as reduce the burden on hospitals.

A sustainable private health system

Private healthcare is an essential pillar of our healthcare system, working in partnership with the public sector to ensure Australians have access to safe, high-quality, and affordable private healthcare. Demographics, chronic disease, and technology are all changing rapidly, and as such, the way we deliver healthcare must also change accordingly. Having cleared the first hurdles for telehealth and home-based hospital care, we need to develop them further as part of a deliberate design of a better system — a system that provides innovative programs which are patient-centred, cost effective, medical practitioner led, and insurer funded.

Public health that empowers communities and improves health outcomes

Public health encompasses a broad range of measures that aim to promote health and prolong life. Investing in public health measures such as disease surveillance, vaccination programs, and health promotion, can have a significant impact on reducing healthcare costs and improving health outcomes. Public health initiatives also aim to address health and social inequalities and ensure everyone has access to healthcare regardless of their socioeconomic status, Indigenous status, or geographic location. For public health measures to be successful, they must encourage the population to take actions to improve their own health outcomes.

A health system prepared for the challenges of tomorrow

Australia’s health system must be ready to respond to emerging and growing challenges, such as pandemics, workforce shortages, the escalating costs of providing healthcare, an ageing population, increasing chronic disease, climate change, and antimicrobial resistance. Creating a health system that is ready for the future will require the sector to embrace change and innovations in how and where healthcare is provided.

Equitable access to appropriate healthcare for all Australians

Equitable access to appropriate healthcare is about more than just providing medical services; it is about ensuring all Australians, regardless of their socioeconomic status, geographic location, disability, gender, or cultural background, have access to high-quality, integrated, and patient-centred care.

Independence of the medical profession

Clinical autonomy and independence allow doctors the freedom to advocate for their patients and the health and well-being of the wider community without undue external pressures, while protecting the integrity of the doctor-patient partnership. This collaboration fosters trust and ensures the patient’s healthcare interests remain at the centre of their care.

Sustainability of the health system

A sustainable health system not only meets the needs of today’s population but anticipates and prepares for future challenges. This includes factors like population growth and demographics, the rise of chronic diseases, and the impacts of climate change on health. By investing in sustainability, we can create resilient healthcare systems that are efficient, cost-effective, and equitable.

Quality healthcare

High-quality care encompasses a range of elements, including evidence-based practices, patient-centred approaches, and efficient care coordination. The delivery of high-quality healthcare requires a health system that is contemporary and embraces the latest innovations, research, data, and technologies to improve quality and patient experience. It also requires commitment to ensuring healthcare professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills to identify and respond to ethical challenges, undertake effective communication with patients and others and deliver the best possible care.

Patient empowerment to enable Australians to take charge of their health

The doctor-patient partnership promotes respect, collaboration and shared decision-making, supporting and empowering patients to be active participants in their care. Patient empowerment gives individuals the tools, technology, knowledge, and confidence to make informed decisions about their own health journey. This empowerment builds stronger relationships between patients and healthcare providers and empowers patients to take proactive steps towards prevention and early intervention.

Fostering medical leadership across the health system

Fostering medical leadership across the health system involves cultivating and empowering medical practitioners to take on leadership roles to influence positive change, innovations, safety, and efficiency and to ensure patients are always at the centre of the system. Achieving this requires medical leadership that represents the diversity of the medical profession and has received training opportunities to develop management and leadership skills alongside their clinical expertise.