advocacy is the act of championing or arguing for a particular issue or cause.
bulk billing is a payment option in the Medicare system. The service provider (doctor) bills Medicare directly for the consultation fee, thereby accepting the Medicare benefit as full payment for the service, and the patient pays no fee to the doctor.
chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer using chemical agents or drugs that are selectively toxic to malignant cells.
chiropody involves diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg.
elective procedures are those operations that are not classified as emergencies.
equity is the allocation of resources according to the needs of individuals and populations. The goal is to achieve equality of outcomes.
health-care expenditure is the allocation of funding and other economic resources for the provision and consumption of health services.
holistic means focusing on the whole patient. Treatments involve the balance and interrelationship between a patient’s physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs.
keyhole surgery is surgery performed through a very small incision (usually 0.5–1.5 cm), usually using a laparoscope or endoscope, devices for viewing inside the body.
levy is a payment collected by the government from a person’s income.
Medicare is Australia’s public-funded universal health-care system, ensuring all Australians have access to free or low-cost medical, optometric and hospital care.
optometry is a health-care profession that addresses problems with eyes and vision.
organic foods are foods produced without using commercial chemicals such as pesticides and fertilisers.
PBS Safety Net caps the amount a family will pay for PBS subsidised medications in a calendar year.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)115 is a Commonwealth Government program that provides subsidised prescription drugs to Australian residents, ensuring affordable access to a range of essential medicines.
psychiatric hospitals care for patients diagnosed with mental illness.
residential care refers to care given to a patient away from their home. It takes into account the needs and wishes of the person. An example of high level residential care is a clinic that provides help and treatment to sufferers of anorexia.
socioeconomic status116 is a measure of an individual’s place in society, based on their income, education, employment and other economic factors such as house and car ownership.