Name: Answers CQ3 DP1 What role do health care facilities and services play in achieving better health for all Australians? health care in Australia range and types of health facilities and services responsibility for health facilities and services equity of access to health facilities and services health care expenditure versus expenditure on early intervention and prevention impact of emerging new treatments and technologies on health care, eg cost and access, benefits of early detection health insurance: Medicare and private evaluate health care in Australia by investigating issues of access and adequacy in relation to social justice principles. Questions to explore include: how equitable is the access and support for all sections of the community? how much responsibility should the community assume for individual health problems? describe the advantages and disadvantages of Medicare and private health insurance, eg costs, choice, ancillary benefits
2014 HSC 6 How do Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme support the principles of social justice? They are funded by the Australian government to supply health care services. They provide resources only to those most in need of health services and treatment. They allocate resources according to the needs of the population in order to promote equality of health outcomes. They empower individuals and communities to be involved in planning and decision making to achieve good health. HSC 2015 1 Which of the following is the main benefit of emerging treatments and technologies in health care? Reduced costs for health care Reduced dental health problems Improved early detection and screening procedures Improved waiting times for surgery in public hospitals 17 The graph summarises historical and projected data for Australian health care expenditure and the Australian working population. Which major health care issue does the graph predict? Funding for new and emerging medical technologies required by working Australians Funding for health care in an increasing ageing population Increasing demand for health care by the long-term unemployed Increasing prevalence of non-communicable disease in the Australian working population HSC 2016 5 Which of the following is a health benefit of using emerging technologies for health care in Australia? Reduced expenditure in medical research Reduced costs of medical treatment for individuals Faster recovery of patients from less-invasive procedures Increased availability of medical services in regional and remote areas
HSC 2016 9 In which list are all the factors perceived advantages of choosing private health insurance? Private room, reduced time on waiting lists, assigned medical practitioners Choice of doctor, reduced time on waiting lists, access to ancillary services Private room, decreased cost to the individual, assigned medical practitioners Choice of doctor, increased cost to the government, access to ancillary services NSWPDHPETA 2013 Trial 5. Why did the Commonwealth Government introduce the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme? Provide free health care to all Australians Provide low cost medications to the elderly Provide medications for cancer patients at a reduced cost Allow all Australians access to necessary prescription medication 6. Which of the following are advantages of having private health insurance? Ancillary cover and bulk billing Choice of doctor and ancillary cover Bulk billing and own room in public hospital Bulk billing and shared room in public hospital NSWPDHPETA 2012 Trial 10. Which of the following identifies the benefits of increasing funding for early intervention and prevention? Health costs will increase as there is greater disease burden The ageing population will have access to greater curative services Positive health outcomes improve as there is an increase in morbidity and mortality rates Principles of equity are promoted as health costs are maintained as less people need to use health care services 4. Which of the following health facilities and services is the Federal Government responsible for? public hospitals and immunisation programs private hospitals and independent health organisations dental services and community health programs Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme NSWPDHPETA 2012 Trial 6. What does the term bulk billing mean? The patient pays nothing and the doctor receives the scheduled fee from Medicare The patient pays the gap and Medicare pays the doctor 85% of the scheduled fee The patient pays the doctor and Medicare pays the doctor the scheduled fee The patient pays the doctor and Medicare refunds the patient 85% of the scheduled fee
10. The graph represents the percentage of Australians covered by private hospital insurance 60 Percentage of Population 50 40 30 20 10 Under 65 Over 65 TOTAL 0 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 Year 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 Which government strategy is most likely to have contributed to the sharp rise in coverage for Australians aged under 65 years old in the year 2000? The introduction of the 30% private health insurance rebate The introduction of Lifetime Cover The introduction of the Medicare levy for high income earners The separation of Medicare Private from the public component of Medicare HSC 2013 1 What currently is the area of greatest health care expenditure in Australia? Research Hospitals Dental services Preventative health initiatives 5 Ancillary cover in private health insurance can assist with which of the following costs? General practitioner fees Prescription and other medications Physiotherapy, dental services and optometry Treatment as a private patient in either a public or private hospital 6 What is a benefit of emerging medical technologies? They are readily accessible for all patients. They are inexpensive for public and private hospitals. They can provide a means of early detection. They decrease the need for Medicare and the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme.
HSC 2012 2 Who has primary responsibility for providing health care services such as public hospitals and mental health facilities? State governments Local governments Federal government Non-government organisations 4 Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor of cardiovascular disease? Age Diet Gender Heredity 5 Which government strategy would have the greatest potential to reduce long-term health care expenditure? Increasing spending on emergency care in hospitals Directing more expenditure towards preventative health Providing rebates to people with private health insurance Allocating greater funding to improve existing curative health services HSC 2011 7 Which of the following is a benefit of emerging treatments and technologies in health care? Early detection of disease Reduced cost for health care Improved access to dental care Improved participation in screening procedures 8 The graph shows the trends in death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Australia. Which statement best explains the trend represented by the graph? Initiatives prior to the 1970s significantly reduced CVD mortality in Australia. Initiatives prior to the 1970s significantly reduced CVD-related morbidity in Australia. Education programs since the 1950s increased the life expectancy of Australians. Education programs since the 1950s decreased the prevalence of CVD in Australia.
HSC 2015 Question 21 (3 marks) What are the advantages to Australians of having a public health care system? Sample answer: Australia s public health care system is supported by Medicare. Medicare allows Australians to receive the basic level of health care, including their own choice of general practitioner, or whether to seek private health cover. Medicare provides free or subsidised medical treatment (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) where costs for Medicare is subsidised or free for chronic illnesses. Medicare also provides free public hospital care. Medicare is a diverse system which applies for all Australians. Answers could include: Access Free if GP bulk bills/subsidised GP visits Subsidised medication on PBS Free treatment in public hospitals NSWPDHPETA 2013 Trial Question 21 (3 marks) Identify the role of the health care system in Australia Answers may include, but not be limited to: Health care in Australia A suggested response may look like: The current health care system in Australia is to provide quality health facilities and services to meet the needs of all Australians. It is diverse in nature and has traditionally provided diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. More recently the health care system aims to improve health outcomes and health gain through health promotion and prevention. NSWPDHPETA 2012 Trial Question 21 (3 marks) Identify the advantages and the disadvantages of Medicare Advantages of Medicare could include: Free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital Free or subsidised treatment by medical practitioners, including GPs, specialists, and some specified services of optometrists and dentists. All Australians are covered for 85% of the scheduled fee. Provides all Australians with affordable and accessible health care Provides for the option of Bulk Billing Choice of own General Practitioner Disadvantages of Medicare could include: Long waiting lists for surgery Patients may still be required to pay a gap payment Additional costs to state government Additional costs and further strain for hospitals Does not cover ancillary services Do not get to choose your own doctor in a public hospital
NSWPDHPETA 2011 Trial Question 23 (5 marks) Clarify how equity and access to health care facilities and services are provided for all sections of the community. Students would be expected to make clear different ways that equity and access to health services are provided to all sections of the community. They could do this by identifying factors that limit access to health services such as socioeconomic status, geographic isolation, language barriers or lack of knowledge, then explaining how these factors can be addressed. Strategies might also be categorised into horizontal strategies that target the whole population, such as Medicare or the PBS, or vertical strategies that target specific disadvantaged groups such as Medicare for low SES or ACCHS for ATSI. The body of the response might include Medicare is an example of a horizontal strategy for improving access. It is a public health insurance scheme designed to improve equity and access to health services for the entire Australian population. Funded in part by a tax of 1.5% on all incomes, it provides basic health services for everyone with reduced out of pocket expenses. It is particularly helpful for the poor, disabled or unemployed, who might otherwise be unable to afford health services. Bulk billing is a special feature of Medicare which offers the opportunity for doctors to provide services with no out of pocket expenses at all. Medicare improves equity by providing services for all Australians without favour. Vertical strategies address access by targeting specific disadvantaged groups. The Royal Flying Doctor Service provides a medical service for people who live in extremely isolated locations. This can be critical in emergency situations. Aboriginal Medical Services provide culturally appropriate health services for ATSI communities, helping to improve access by being more accommodating and conveniently located. NSW Health provides translation and language services to address the needs of people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities. These help to bridge the language gap, ensuring that people who do not speak English can get support to understand and access health information. HSC 2012 Question 21 (3 marks) Describe the advantages of Medicare for Australian citizens. Question 21 In better responses, candidates provided characteristics or features of a range of advantages of Medicare for Australian citizens, such as basic healthcare at a public hospital, which enables the treatment of medical conditions and injuries/illness at no cost. In weaker responses, candidates provided a feature of one advantage or some relevant information about Medicare. These responses often included a list of advantages. Sample answer: Medicare is Australia s universal health care system ensuring equality of access for all Australian citizens to free or partially funded medical, optometrical and hospital care with the option of choosing private health care for other services. HSC 2011 Question 22 (2 marks) Identify FOUR different types of health facilities or services in Australia Sample answer: Health facilities or services in Australia include: hospitals aged-care homes Meals on Wheels in-home nursing. Examples should reflect different types of health care facilities and/or services.