Creating an integrated vision by collocating health organisations: herding cats or a meeting of minds?

The Brisbane South Centre for Health Services Integration (BSCHSI) initiative used a collocation strategy to integrate local service delivery across three different health organisations. Physical collocation was combined with validated integration strategies to improve organisational operations among five different work teams involving 90 different individuals. Enhanced communication, increased knowledge of collocating groups, and the development of collaboration and partnerships were key positive outcomes.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of two rehabilitation support services for women with breast cancer.

The purpose of this research was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of two rehabilitation interventions for breast cancer survivors, each compared to a population-based, non-intervention group (n = 208). The two services included an early home-based physiotherapy intervention (DAART, n = 36) and a group-based exercise and psychosocial intervention (STRETCH, n = 31). A societal perspective was taken and costs were included as those incurred by the health care system, the survivors and community.

The impact of rehabilitation support services on health-related quality of life for women with breast cancer.

As the number of women surviving breast cancer increases, with implications for the health system, research into the physical and psychosocial sequelae of the cancer and its treatment is a priority. This research estimated self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) associated with two rehabilitation interventions for breast cancer survivors, compared to a non-intervention group. Women were selected if they received an early home-based physiotherapy intervention (DAART, n = 36) or a group-based exercise and psychosocial intervention (STRETCH, n = 31).