‘Value-based health care isn’t just about doing things more efficiently, it’s about making sure every decision, every service, reflects what truly matters to patients and communities,’ said Tony Farley, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (Administrators Appointed).
The Australian Health Review has published a new collection on value-based health care (VBHC), Value-Driven: Redefining Care for a Healthier Nation, exploring how Australia can lead global reform by putting people at the centre of healthcare delivery.
‘This collection shows Australia is reimagining healthcare, with sharper focus on outcomes that matter, smarter use of data, and a stronger drive for sustainable performance,’ Mr Farley said.
At its core, the collection delivers a clear message: value in healthcare must be defined by those receiving care. Articles explore the disruptive potential of VBHC, including how bridging the gap between VBHC and health economics can enable care that is both deeply meaningful to patients and efficient at scale.
One commentary urges policymakers and practitioners to look beyond clinical metrics and focus on what care means to individuals, especially those whose voices are too often excluded from policy discussions. It calls for consumer experience to be central to how services are designed, funded, and evaluated.
‘The breadth of work in this collection shows the momentum is building to redefine care around value,’ continued Mr Farley.
‘It also lays bare the challenges – from fragmented data to limited patient involvement in design. If we want VBHC to reach its full potential, we need bold reform that puts people, equity and outcomes front and centre.’
‘The findings of this research highlight the need for urgent policy action, with a coordinated, value-driven approach as the pathway to better patient outcomes and a stronger, more sustainable health system.’
The collection is free to access until 31 August 2025.
