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The Healthcare System
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Australia has one of the most developed healthcare
systems in the world. Blessed with the highest per
capita health expenditure outside of the USA,
Australia provides a free, comprehensive and
up-to-date health service to its population.
The medical practice tends to be a mixture of the
UK evidence-based healthcare model and the more
innovative US style of medicine.
In addition, Australia is a growing centre for
medical research with rapidly increasing resources
targeted to this.
The major provider of healthcare services in
Australia is the Public Health System (Medicare).
This is a comprehensive free-of-charge healthcare
service for all Australian citizens covering both
hospital-based and community-based medical
services.
Those who have experienced working in Australia
will always compare it very favourably to working
in other countries. As a rule, Australians (both
patients and staff) are very laid back and so this
creates a very informal and friendly working
environment.
The dress code varies from hospital to hospital
but is usually much more casual than would be
found in many parts of the US or UK. Doctors as a
rule do not wear white coats and most do not wear
ties either. It is not uncommon for doctors in
rural hospitals to wear very casual clothing such
as jeans and a short-sleeved shirt but as a
general rule smart casual clothing is normally
required.
The actual hospitals in Australia as a rule tend
to be very well equipped with all the latest
technology and facilities.
Radiology and pathology services have been
corporatised in Australia in recent years and so
digital radiology, image distribution systems,
extremely rapid pathology investigations, same-day
reporting etc are all normal practice in
Australia.
Almost all hospitals in Australia will usually
have an in-hospital intranet for dispersing
medical information and test results within the
hospital and some hospitals are in the process of
moving to wireless technology for the dispersion
of results and medical data.
Healthcare workers such as doctors and nurses hold
far greater power and authority in Australia
within the hospital system than is usually found
in other countries. Professional groups
representing nurses and doctors are very strong
here, with most of the hospital directors and
senior managerial staff being doctors and
nurses themselves who are keen to protect the interests of
healthcare workers. |
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"I would like to thank all the staff at
IMR for finding me a wonderful job and
arranging my medical registration and work
visa in under 4 weeks...Your service was
truly remarkable"
Dr Schneider, Canada
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"After 15 years in an inner city
general practice in London, I took up a
position as a GP on coastal Queensland. My
family and I are very grateful to IMR for
this opportunity...Thank you"
Dr Leeson, UK
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