Public health nutrition: the accord of dietitian providers in managing medicare chronic care outpatients in Australia.
Medicare Australia: Chronic Disease Management program subsidizes allied health consultations for eligible outpatients with chronic disease or complex needs. In an evaluation study, private practice dietitians (n = 9) were interviewed to explore their patient management strategies including consultation time-allocation and fees. Time allocation was fee-based. Short first consultations were seen as meeting patients' needs for low-cost services but were regarded by dietitians as ineffective, however longer initial consultations increased cost to patients. No strategy in use was optimal. There is a need for change in Medicare policy to meet the needs of both dietitians and patients in achieving the behaviour change goals of patients.
Cant
Robyn P
RP
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Churchill, Victoria 3842, Australia. robyn.cant@med.monash.edu.au
D001315:Australia; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004046:Dietetics; D005249:Fees and Charges; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010045:Outpatients; D011634:Public Health; D000078329:Workforce