Cross-sectional examination of 24-hour movement behaviours among 3- and 4-year-old children in urban and rural settings in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries: the SUNRISE study protocol.

Introduction: 24-hour movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep) during the early years are associated with health and developmental outcomes, prompting the WHO to develop Global guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age. Prevalence data on 24-hour movement behaviours is lacking, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). This paper describes the development of the protocol, designed to address this gap.

Planning for subacute care: predicting demand using acute activity data.

Objective The aim of the present study was to develop a robust model that uses the concept of 'rehabilitation-sensitive' Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) in predicting demand for rehabilitation and geriatric evaluation and management (GEM) care following acute in-patient episodes provided in Australian hospitals. Methods The model was developed using statistical analyses of national datasets, informed by a panel of expert clinicians and jurisdictional advice. Logistic regression analysis was undertaken using acute in-patient data, published national hospital statistics and data from the Australasian Rehabilitation Outcomes Centre.

Emergency department waiting times: Do the raw data tell the whole story?

Objective: To determine whether there are real differences in emergency department (ED) performance between Australian states and territories.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 2009-10 attendances at an ED contributing to the Australian non-admitted patient ED care database. The main outcome measure was difference in waiting time across triage categories.

The health of people in Australian immigration detention centres.

Objective: To determine the health status of people in Australian immigration detention centres and the effect of time in, and reason for, detention.

Design, Setting And Subjects: An analysis of the health records of 720 of the 7375 people in detention in the financial year 1 July 2005-30 June 2006, with oversampling of those detained for > 3 months.

Main Outcome Measures: Health encounters and health condition categories; estimated incidence rates of new health conditions, new mental health conditions, and new injuries for each cohort (defined by time in, and reason for, detention).

Current funding and financing issues in the Australian hospice and palliative care sector.

This article overviews current funding and financing issues in the Australian hospice and palliative care sector. Within Australia, the major responsibilities for managing the health care system are shared between two levels of government. Funding arrangements vary according to the type of care.

The development of Version 2 of the AN-SNAP casemix classification system.

This paper presents the results of a recent review of the Australian National Sub-acute and Non-acute Patient (AN-SNAP) classification system. The AN-SNAP system was developed by the Centre for Health Service Development, University of Wollongong in 1997. The review was conducted between August 2005 and September 2006.

Developing a New Zealand casemix classification for mental health services.

This study aimed to develop a casemix classification of characteristics of New Zealand mental health services users. Over a six month period, patient information, staff time and service costs were collected from 8 district health boards. This information was analysed seeking the classification of service user characteristics which best predicted the cost drivers of the services provided.

An Australian casemix classification for palliative care: lessons and policy implications of a national study.

Objectives: To provide a nontechnical discussion of the development of a palliative care casemix classification and some policy implications of its implementation.

Sample: 3866 palliative care patients who, in a three month period, had 4596 episodes of care provided by 58 palliative care services in Australia and New Zealand.

Method: A detailed clinical and service utilization profile was collected on each patient with staff time and other resources measured on a daily basis.

An Australian casemix classification for palliative care: technical development and results.

Objectives: To develop a palliative care casemix classification for use in all settings including hospital, hospice and home-based care.

Sample: 3866 palliative care patients who, in a three-month period, had 4596 episodes of care provided by 58 palliative care services in Australia and New Zealand.

Method: A detailed clinical and service utilization profile was collected on each patient with staff time and other resources measured on a daily basis.

Health services research and development in practice: an Australian experience.

While there is a growing literature on how health services research can inform health policy decisions, the practical challenge is for health services researchers to develop an effective interface with health policy-making processes and to produce outputs that lead to outcomes. The experience of the Centre for Health Service Development at the University of Wollongong, Australia, is used to illustrate the issues so commonly described in the literature and to reflect on our experience of trying to remain viable while producing relevant and valid research. A case study in a specific policy area - namely, the development of case-mix classifications and information systems to inform policy and funding in the subacute and non-acute hospital and community care sectors - is used as a practical example of the research-policy interface.

Urinary incontinence in subacute care--a retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes and costs.

Objective: To investigate the effect of incontinence on clinical outcomes and costs for patients in subacute care.

Design: Retrospective analysis of data collected over a 3-month period in 1996.

Setting: 54 medical facilities in Australia and New Zealand providing subacute care in an inpatient setting.