Williams, Gary (2015) The unique nature of the healthcare environment. In: Birks, Melanie, Chapman, Ysanne B., and Davis, Jenny, (eds.) Professional and Therapeutic Communication. Oxford University Press, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, pp. 3-23.

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Abstract

[Extract] When asked to describe the healthcare environment, many people will begin to describe a physical environment: a hospital, or a doctor's surgery or another of the many places that people can go to receive care.

However, this chapter will consider the healthcare environment as a combination of elements. These elements have shaped healthcare in Australia and continue to shape healthcare now and into the future. Healthcare is such a broad term that, aside from numerous definitions, we all have our own unique way of defining healthcare. Take a moment to consider a more personal definition of healthcare.

Now think about people studying at university, and people in shopping centres on the weekend and a group of friends at the football: do they all have the same definition as everyone else? They probably don't.

Just like our understanding of health, people have many different definitions of healthcare. These many different beliefs, views, ideologies and definitions create a very unique healthcare environment in Australia.

In this chapter, the elements that shape the healthcare environment will be explored, including the historical foundations, political ideologies, political and policy drivers, the impact of socio-economics, and models and frameworks.

Item ID:	42473
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Teaching Material)
ISBN:	978-0-19-559106-4
Related URLs:	http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/41508/
Additional Information:	This chapter appears in the following publication, a record for which can be accessed using the link in the Related URLs field: Birks, Melanie, Chapman, Ysanne B., and Davis, Jenny (2015) Professional and Therapeutic Communication. Oxford University Press, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Date Deposited:	20 Jun 2016 03:31
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences > 119999 Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920299 Health and Support Services not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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