title: Better than a crystal ball? Using simulation to foresee emerging issues in the Australian Healthcare System.
abstract: A change in the national government of Australia in 2007 lead to a process of review and reform in healthcare which is now being implemented. The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) ran a simulation exercise to model the likely impact of the planned reforms. This paper describes the background to these changes, the process of consultation and implementation of the reforms, and the results of the reforms, and the results of the simulation exercise. The process identified the risks inherent in the reform and the need to address long term structural issues in the Australian health care system in order to ensure optimal patient-centred care.
authors.affiliation: Australian Hospitals and Healthcare Association.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bolton
authors.forename: Prue
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Power
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018166:Health Care Reform; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009313:National Health Programs