Summary

This book examines health reform in Australia and New Zealand over the past 15 years. Through a combination of conceptual material and case studies, it provides insight into contemporary trends in health systems and health policy. Health Reform in Australia and New Zealand is divided into five main sections. The first section provides an introduction to essential concepts and theories of health reform, while the second considers the fundamental features of reform: finance, structure, and the roles played by the government and the medical profession. Section Three examines, through detailed case studies, how global trends in health reform have evolved in the Australian and New Zealand contexts. Section Four considers important issues affecting the future success of health reform. A concluding section draws together the underlying themes of health reform. Approaching health reform from a practical perspective, Health Reform in Australia and New Zealand is designed to equip students and practitioners with a thorough knowledge of essential concepts and comprehensive understanding of the two health systems.