Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released the first Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation, illuminating variation in health care provision across Australia.
The atlas presents a clear picture of substantial variation in healthcare use across Australia, across areas such as:
- antibiotic prescribing
- diagnostic services
- surgical interventions
- mental health
- opioid medicines and
- chronic diseases
Some variation is expected and associated with need-related factors such as underlying differences in the health of specific populations, or personal preferences. However, the weight of evidence in Australia and internationally suggests that much of the variation documented in the atlas is likely to be unwarranted. Understanding this variation is critical to improving the quality, value and appropriateness of health care.
How was this report put together?
The Australian Commission worked with Australian, state and territory governments, specialist medical colleges, clinicians and consumer representatives to develop the atlas.
It is the first time that data from the Medicare Benefits Schedule, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Admitted Patient Care National Minimum Data Set have all been used to explore variation across different healthcare settings.
The atlas is presented alongside the first national recommendations for action.
Key documents
Listed below are several key documents from the atlas:
- Overview
- Key findings and recommendations
- Investigating and addressing unwarranted variation
- Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation (full version)
For further information about the Atlas and other documents, please visit the Comission's website.
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