Leading the way: implementing aged care innovations.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the key characteristics of leaders that support the implementation of innovations in aged care settings.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of papers from a large scoping review that identified how leaders supported the implementation of innovations in aged care. Once imported into NVivo12, the findings were deductively coded using the domains of Bloom's taxonomy of learning.

Fostering an aged care organizational culture that supports innovation.

Aim: This study aimed to identify how aged care organizations can foster a culture that supports the implementation of innovation.

Introduction: The aged care sector must innovate to meet clients' evolving needs and increased regulatory requirements. Given the need to account for the values, beliefs, expectations, and assumptions held by a diverse range of stakeholders, implementing innovations within aged care can be exceptionally complex.

Factors that influence the implementation of innovation in aged care: a scoping review.

Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to identify factors that influence the implementation of innovation in aged care.

Introduction: Aged care is a dynamic sector experiencing rapid change. Implementation of innovations in aged care has received relatively little research attention compared to health care.

Evaluating local primary health care actions to address health inequities: analysis of Australia's Primary Health Networks.

Background: Meso-level, regional primary health care organisations such as Australia's Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are well placed to address health inequities through comprehensive primary health care approaches. This study aimed to examine the equity actions of PHNs and identify factors that hinder or enable the equity-orientation of PHNs' activities.

Methods: Analysis of all 31 PHNs' public planning documents.

Factors that influence evidence-informed meso-level regional primary health care planning: a qualitative examination and conceptual framework.

Background: Evidence-informed primary health care (PHC) planning in decentralised, meso-level regional organisations has received little research attention. In this paper we examine the factors that influence planning within this environment, and present a conceptual framework.

Methods: We employed mixed methods: case studies of five Australian Primary Health Networks (PHNs), involving 29 primary interviews and secondary analysis of 38 prior interviews; and analysis of planning documents from all 31 PHNs.

The Use of Digital Technologies in the Inpatient Setting to Promote Communication During the Early Stage of an Infectious Disease Outbreak: A Scoping Review.

Infectious disease outbreaks disrupt inpatient clinical care and have an impact on staff and patients' ability to communicate with each other and with the wider community. Digital technology may offer opportunities for communication in the inpatient setting during infectious disease outbreaks. This scoping review aimed to investigate the use of digital technology in the inpatient setting to promote communication in the early stages of an infectious disease outbreak.

Challenges facing primary health care in federated government systems: Implementation of Primary Health Networks in Australian states and territories.

In many federated countries, there is divided health system responsibility that can affect primary health care (PHC) policy and implementation, and complicate collaboration between PHC actors. We examined an Australian policy initiative, Primary Health Networks (PHNs), which are regional PHC organisations, to examine how they collaborated with state and territory PHC actors, and what factors enhanced or constrained collaboration. For PHNs we surveyed 66 staff, interviewed 82 staff, examined board membership, and analysed documents from all 31 PHNs.

Assessing organisational capacity for evidence-informed health policy and planning: an adaptation of the ORACLe tool for Australian primary health care organizations.

Background: Many nations have established primary health care (PHC) organizations that conduct PHC planning for defined geographical areas. The Australian Government established Primary Health Networks (PHNs) in 2015 to develop and commission PHC strategies to address local needs. There has been little written about the capacity of such organizations for evidence-informed planning, and no tools have been developed to assess this capacity, despite their potential to contribute to a comprehensive effective and efficient PHC sector.

Community Health Worker Programs to Improve Healthcare Access and Equity: Are They Only Relevant to Low- and Middle-Income Countries?

Background: Community Health Workers (CHWs) are proven to be highly effective in low- and middle-income countries with many examples of successful large-scale programs. There is growing interest in deploying CHW programs in high-income countries to address inequity in healthcare access and outcomes amongst population groups facing disadvantage. This study is the first that examines the scope and potential value of CHW programs in Australia and the challenges involved in integrating CHWs into the health system.

Benzodiazepine prescribing in elderly Australian general practice patients.

Objective: The use of benzodiazepines by elderly people is of limited therapeutic benefit and increases the risk of adverse events. This study aimed to examine the extent to which benzodiazepines are prescribed for elderly Australians.

Methods: Data for 3,970 individuals aged 65 years or more were extracted from a general practice database.