Ahpra podcast explores accessing safe healthcare when cost is a barrier

The issue of healthcare affordability, which can be a barrier for some people to getting the care they need, was explored in a recent episode in the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s (Ahpra) Taking care podcast series which "offers professional and consumer perspectives on current issues and answers some frequently asked questions about public safety in healthcare." 

The episode, hosted by Tash Miles, discusses the cost barriers associated with accessing safe healthcare and how practitioners are working to ease those pressures for their patients, focusing on four key points: 

- The taboo of asking about the cost of procedures before treatment. 

- The costs associated with living with a disability or other chronic conditions. 

- How factors like childcare and time off work impact consumers’ healthcare decisions. 

- What practitioners are doing to provide care when cost is an issue. 

The episodes features consumer advocate, Renate Hughes, Associate Professor, Amanda Neil, health economist from the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research and ADA Federal Executive Councillor Dr Chris Sanzaro who encourages patients to have full and frank conversations with providers about the potential cost of any treatment. 

"The stigma around cost discussions is something that really shouldn’t be there. 

"If that discussion is very open and honest right from the start, it makes it a lot easier for everyone to be involved." 

Listen to the full episode (select episode 5 which will then appear at the bottom of the page)