Abstract
With increasing strain on public health systems to meet growing demands, inclusion of and collaboration with family and friend carers as partners in health care is likely to support optimal health outcomes for Australians and reduce strain on the health care system. There are approximately 2.65 million carers in Australia (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2019). Carers often play an important role in the planning and delivery of health care in the community and within institutional settings. The Carers NSW 2022 National Carer Survey (n= 6,825) found that approximately 81.9% of respondents provided assistance with health care. Additionally, the Survey also found that carers often provide support with other tasks that may be associated in engaging in health care such as communication (72.5%), planning and remembering appointments (89.4%), support with making decisions (80.7%), administrative support (89.9%) and advocacy (71.5%).
Despite the important role that many carers play in supporting the person they care for to access and engage in health care, carers continue to report that they are often not included in treatment planning discussions or provided with adequate information to facilitate care. Almost 3 in 4 (74.2%) 2022 National Carer Survey respondents agreed that they were involved in treatment discussions and planning by GPs, and just less than 2 in 3 (62.4%) agreed that they were involved in treatment discussions and planning in hospitals or community health settings. Approximately 3 in 5 (59%) agreed that they were provided all information they need to fulfil their caring role by GPs, however less than half of respondents (46%) reported the same for hospital or community support settings. This data indicates that there is still significant work to be done to improve carer recognition in health settings.
The Commonwealth Carer Recognition Act 2010 stipulates that carers should be considered as partners in care with other care providers , acknowledging their unique knowledge and experience. While health care services continue to develop and improve person-centred care, health care staff and professionals must also be effective at identifying and working collaboratively with family and friend carers who often form a key role in the broader support network for those they care for, including supporting them to access health services.
This presentation will highlight the need for greater understanding and awareness of carers by all health care staff and professionals to improve carer identification, recognition and inclusion within health settings. Improved carer recognition and inclusion is likely to support improved health and wellbeing outcomes for those receiving care as carers will be better equipped to support and facilitate engagement with treatment and preventative measures. Additionally, in taking a more holistic approach to person-centred care that recognises and effectively includes carers in the provision of health care, there is likely to be reduced reliance on already overburdened formal care services and health care systems more broadly.