Health workforce wellbeing and improving end-of-life care – latest in health policy research

Thursday, October 7, 2021

‘The latest issue of the Australian Health Review, the academic journal of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA), focuses on the key issues impacting Australia’s health sector today,’ says Editor-in-Chief, Professor Sonĵ Hall.

As frontline healthcare workers continue to support our communities in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, several articles in this issue focus on the wellbeing of the health workforce and the obligations of health services in protecting their staff.

‘A case study by Connie Galati, Bronwyn Award and Louise Ramsay from Canberra Health Services shares the strategies introduced by Canberra Health Services’ Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department to address the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on staff.

‘This case study shows how an embedded staff psychological service can better meet the psychological needs of healthcare professionals and teams by focusing on prevention and early intervention strategies.

‘In a perspectives piece, Jessica Dean et al examine the obligations of health services to protect their staff from the physical and psychological risks of COVID-19,’ notes Professor Hall.

‘An article from Professor Imogen Mitchell et al explores end-of-life care in the ward and intensive care unit (ICU) environment in nine Australian hospitals revealing that a nationally coordinated approach is needed to improve experiences of end-of-life care.

‘Yosef Faraj Amer Alshehri et al analysis of dental treatment under anaesthesia in children in Western Australia reveals an underutilisation of preventive dental care, which is critical to potentially reducing the financial cost on the health system and also improving the experiences and outcomes of the patients.’

Other articles in this issue examine safety and quality in healthcare, artificial intelligence in healthcare, aged care and models of care.

The October issue of the Australian Health Review is available here. More information on AHHA is available at ahha.asn.au

The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association is the national peak body for public and not-for-profit hospitals, Primary Health Networks, and community and primary healthcare services.

 

Media enquiries:  Prof Sonĵ Hall, Editor in Chief, Australian Health Review, 0427 613 587