Patient Knowledge - Australian Patients Association

Patient knowledge and health literacy is vital for individuals to obtain, process, and understand health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. This information is important achieve the best possible health outcomes and protect patients from possible harm.

The APA provides valuable, authoritative information, resources and documents that assist patients, carers and Patient Advocates to gain knowledge and become empowered to make decisions in the patients’ best interest.

Useful content is constantly being added to Patient Knowledge. The FAQ’s listed in Black are currently under development.

Some information and resources are only available to APA members. Membership is free. Join Us.

PATIENT RIGHTS

PATIENT FEEDBACK

Patient feedback. Why it is important. Where to go.
How to make a complaint.
Medical Negligence.

PATIENT DECISIONS

Emergency Calls. Who to call. What to do, say and ask.
Patient Help Lines. Who to call. What to say and ask.
Ambulances. Calling an ambulance. Do I need ambulance insurance? How do I join?
Choosing a doctor. What to look for?
Informed Consent
Online doctor search web sites.
Private health insurance. Do I need it? Is it for me? Government rebates, Choosing a fund.

PATIENT EMPOWERMENT

Adolescent Health
Allied Health. The services available. Choosing a provider. The costs.
Care Plans. What is a Care Plan. How can they help?
Carers. Role and responsibility. Things to do.
Doctor consultations. Things to do. Questions to ask, Return visits. Your rights.
Doctor Referrals. Questions to ask. Choosing a specialist. The costs.
Types of Medical Consultations.
Emergency Health. Things that could save a life.
Information fact sheets about your medical procedure.
Key Health Numbers. Ask your doctor. Know them, get them. Retain your results.
Know your medical condition. What you should know. Where to go.
Medical literacy. What you need to know and ask. Where to go for reliable information.
Medical history. Your records. What you should know. My Health Records.
Medication records. Know your medications. My Health Records.
Medications. The Do’s and Don’ts. Questions to ask. Responsible Use. If things go wrong.
Medication Warnings and Advice. What you need to know. Questions to ask
Medication Reviews. Avoiding Adverse reactions. The dangers of multiple medications.
Medication shortages. What to do. Where to go.
Medical Trials. How they work. How to enrol.
Mental Health. Some Useful Help Lines, Web Sites and Mobile Apps.
Pathology Tests. Why they are important. Do the test. Don’t delay. Know the results.
Patient Advocacy. Using your voice in health care. What to do.
Safescript.
Telehealth. When, why and how.
Wellbeing and Wellness. Preventative Health. Taking health responsibility.

PATIENT HEALTH

PATIENT HOSPITALISATION

Public Hospitals. How they work. Private patients in public hospitals.
Private Hospitals. How they work. The costs.
Choosing a hospital. What you need to know. The Do’s and Don’ts.
Hospital costs. Out of pocket expenses. Overcharging. Informed financial consent.
Do I need that procedure? Understanding the procedure. Questions to ask. What is overservicing?
Surgery. What to know. What to ask. The costs. Informed Consent. The Do’s and Don’ts.
Rehabilitation. The services available. What to know. What to ask. The costs.
When should I go home? What do I need to do and have at home.
Elective Surgery Categories. How, where and when can I be treated?
Elective Surgery Waiting Lists. What to do if you are in the queue. How long should I wait?

PATIENT COSTS

Medical fees and charges. Overcharging and overservicing. How much should I be charged?
Bulk billing, Out of pocket expenses.
Comparing costs. Informed financial consent.