Fostering healthcare innovation in public hospitals: the Queensland experience
Linda Mundy A D , Sarah Howard B , Liam McQueen B , Jacqui Thomson B and Kaye Hewson CA School of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building, Corner North Terrace and George Street, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
B Healthcare Evaluation and Assessment of Technology, Healthcare Improvement Unit, Clinical Excellence Division, Queensland Department of Health, Level 2, 15 Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4006, Australia. Email: sarah.howard@health.qld.gov.au; liam.mcqueen@health.qld.gov.au; Jacqui.Thomson@health.qld.gov.au
C Genetic Health Queensland, Critical Care and Clinical Support Services, Metro-North Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Department of Health, Level 14, Block 7, Herston, Qld 4006, Australia. Email: kaye.hewson@health.qld.gov.au
D Corresponding author. Email: linda.mundy@adelaide.edu.au
Australian Health Review 43(6) 672-675 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH18055
Submitted: 16 March 2018 Accepted: 31 July 2018 Published: 10 September 2018
Abstract
Faced with scarce resources and a demand for health care that exceeds supply, health policy makers at all levels of government need to adopt some form of rationing when deciding which health services should be funded in the public health system. With a relatively small investment, programs such as Queensland Health’s New Technology Funding Evaluation Program (NTFEP) fosters innovation by providing funding and pilot studies for new and innovative healthcare technologies. The NTFEP assists policy makers to make informed decisions regarding investments in new safe and effective technologies based on available evidence gathered from real-world settings relevant to Queensland patients and clinicians. In addition, the NTFEP allows appropriate patient access, especially in rural and remote locations, to potentially beneficial technologies and acts a gatekeeper, protecting them from technologies that may be detrimental or harmful.
What is known about the topic? Jurisdictions have struggled to identify ways to manage the introduction of new and innovative health technologies into clinical practice. The 2009 review of health technology in Australia recommended better assessment and appraisal by ensuring real-life practices in hospitals and community settings were considered, with a consumer and patient focus.
What does this paper add? Queensland Health’s NTFEP provides a robust and transparent mechanism to manage the introduction of innovative healthcare technologies into clinical practice, providing an opportunity to collect real-world data outside of formal clinical trials. These data can not only be used to inform clinical, but also purchasing, decision-making within the public health system. This model of investment and innovation has the potential to be implemented in other jurisdictions and provide opportunities to share learnings.
What are the implications for practitioners? Programs such as the NTFEP provide reassurance to practitioners and patients alike that innovative healthcare technologies are adopted in public hospitals using an evidence-based approach after demonstrating that they are not only safe and clinically effective, but represent value for money and improved patient outcomes in a public health system.
Additional keywords: evidence-based practice, health services accessibility, health care rationing, health services research, organisation and administration, policy making, technology assessment, uncertainty.
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