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Health policy in South Australia 2003–10: primary health care workforce perceptions of the impact of policy change on health promotion
Author(s) -
Jolley Gwyn,
Freeman Toby,
Baum Fran,
Hurley Catherine,
Lawless Angela,
Bentley Michael,
Labonté Ronald,
Sanders David
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he13088
Subject(s) - health promotion , health policy , workforce , population health , medicine , health care , nursing , health economics , government (linguistics) , public relations , public health , promotion (chess) , economic growth , political science , economics , politics , law , linguistics , philosophy
Issue addressed This paper examines recent Australian health reform policies and considers how the primary health care (PHC) workforce experiences subsequent change and perceives its impact on health promotion practice. Methods Health policy documents were analysed to determine their intended impact on health promotion. Interviews were conducted with 39 respondents from four State‐funded PHC services to gain their perceptions of the impact of policy change on health promotion. Results There have been a plethora of policy and strategy documents over the last decade relevant to PHC, and these suggest an intention to strengthen health promotion. However, respondents report that changes to the role and focus of PHC services have led to fewer opportunities for health promotion. Services are struggling to engage in health promotion activity, while funding and policy directions are prioritised to targeted, individual behaviour change. Conclusion The experience of PHC workforce respondents in South Australia suggests that, despite policy intentions, health promotion practice is much reduced. Our research suggests that rigorous evaluation of health sector reforms should be undertaken to assess both intended and unintended outcomes in terms of service quality and delivery. So what? Health promoters are experiencing a contradictory policy and practice environment, and this research should assist health promoters in advocating for more government accountability in the implementation of policies in order to advance comprehensive PHC.?