The AMA Essentially Ignores E-Health Policy for the Election – But You Would Expect That Wouldn’t You!

Late last week the Australian Medical Association published the following release:

http://www.ama.com.au/web.nsf/doc/WEEN-76RAWF

AMA Announces Health Policy Priorities - Key Health Issues for the 2007 Federal Election

AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, today released Key Health Issues for the 2007 Federal Election, a summary of the major health issues that the AMA considers will win or lose votes at the upcoming election.

The document will be sent to all MPs and Senators and to the media to be used as a primary reference when assessing the health policy announcements of the major parties during the campaign.

Dr Capolingua said the document was not a comprehensive overview of the health system but a ‘highlights package’ that will allow people to focus on practical solutions in areas of the system that are failing all or some Australians.

“Health is without doubt a priority election issue,” Dr Capolingua said.

“Australia has a good health system by world standards, but it is not providing equal access for all Australians to high quality health care and services.

“It is failing to meet current demand and it is not sufficiently funded or resourced to meet the future needs of an ageing population.

“Now is the time to invest – and invest substantially and strategically – in the future health of our nation and our people.

“The AMA calls on the major parties to promise to deliver this much-needed health investment in the election campaign.”

Key Health Issues for the 2007 Federal Election sets out practical policy recommendations under 18 headings, including Indigenous health, public hospitals, aged care, rural health, nutrition and obesity, Medicare, global warming, alcohol, smoking, and private health.

The AMA also provides warnings about the future of medical training, doctor substitution agendas, and flawed plans for the national registration of health professionals.

Election material – T shirts, mugs and caps – carrying the slogan ‘CHOOSE HEALTH’ will be distributed to support the AMA’s election document, urging people to choose health as an issue that will determine the way they vote at the election.

To view a copy of the AMA Key Health Issues for the 2007 Federal Election document, follow the link.

Date released: 09/06/2007

A review of the full document locates three mentions of technology related matters.

First – when discussing Rural Health the AMA says the following:

“There must be investment in telemedicine technology and services.” There is also a vague reference to the need for modern technology.

“Modern facilities and equipment are essential to a viable health care environment. Without the latest technology, rural patients cannot benefit from improved surgical techniques or improved methods of care. They may face longer recovery periods or may not have the same quality of outcome as they would have if they lived in the city.”

Second when discussing Aged Care the AMA recommends”

“The Government needs to fund programs that will put computers in aged care facilities for the use of attending doctors for patient records and prescribing

Ultimately these computer systems need to be connected to the GPs’ rooms and GP clinical software systems for patient records and also to pharmacies for prescribing and medication management. A further $116 million over three years should be allocated for the introduction of improved clinical management and prescribing systems in residential aged care and to support the training and maintenance of such systems. There needs to be a strong involvement of the medical profession in the rollout of this program.”

Third the AMA devotes a whole section to EasyClaim.

Essentially they say they think the system is under-developed, un-integrated with clinical software and slow at present.

They want the following:

“The Government needs to commit to working with the medical profession to make the Easyclaim system reach the maximum level of efficiency so it is quick, reliable and integrated.

The Government needs to acknowledge it will make considerable savings by transferring this work to doctors, and that doctors should be reimbursed a transaction fee for each claim processed under Easyclaim.”

It seems to me there are some major gaps in the AMA approach

First, by focussing on IT in Aged care they seem to be suggesting all is well in the world as far as GP and specialist practice is concerned. This is hardly reality.

Second, while rightly emphasising the importance of prevention of illness and pro-active care there is no mention of the potentially crucially important role of electronic clinical decision support. A very large oversight.

Third there is no mention of the importance to achieving better co-ordination of care – which Health IT is uniquely able to assist with.

Forth there is no mention of the place of Health IT in enabling reform of health services delivery.

It is clear this is a document developed by the leaders of “Medical Lobby” to maximise and protect their sectional interests and to maximise their income. What we have here is an attempt to leverage public concern regarding the performance of the health sector into more funds which will largely find their way into medical pockets and ongoing opposition to the major structural reform and work-force adjustments that are needed for a sustainable health system.

Another missed opportunity.

David.