ABF Education and Research Strategy

3. Development of national training resources

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3.1 Updating existing publications
3.2 New training resource priorities
3.3 19^th National Activity Based Funding and Casemix Conference
3.4 National training resources recommendations

IHPA has an important but limited role in the development of national training resources for ABF. In particular, this is focused on:

• providing national educational resources that explaining ABF concepts to the health sector and the general public; and
• providing targeted funding to national bodies to develop national training resources.

As outlined in the NHRA, part of IHPA’s core business is the development of national classifications and standards for ABF purposes. For this reason, any training and educational resources produced should be supplementary to this purpose. For example, this could include a publication that explains the role of classifications in an ABF system or a document outlining the process for determining the National Efficient Price. Resources such as these will be developed according to organisational capacity, in partnership with relevant stakeholders where applicable.

IHPA will apply a two-pronged approach to the development of national training resources:

1. existing publications will be updated to reflect the national ABF system;
2. priorities for new training resources will be identified and commissioned according to available budget and staff resources; and
3. organising and promoting the National Casemix and Activity Based Funding Conference as a forum for training and education.

Each of the above priorities are explained in the following sections.

3.1 Updating existing publications

The IHPA holds existing historical publications that outline Casemix and Activity Based Funding methodology and theories. These include:

• The National Casemix Education Series, Department of Health, Housing, Local Government and Community Services (1993);
• Product costing in Australian hospitals, A background guide to national costing work, Hindle, D. (1999); and,
• DRGs: The Casemix Approach to Hospital Management, Commonwealth Department of Community Services & Health (1988).

While these are old, they represent valuable conceptual work and it is proposed that an initial priority for IHPA is to have these reviewed and updated to retain the conceptual content while updating the documentation to reflect the evolved methodology and the current national approach to Activity Based Funding. As a first step, these publications have been electronically scanned and converted to an editable format.

The updating of content will be progressed in consultation with the Technical Advisory Committee with work priorities and timing to be informed by these consultations.

Once these resources have been updated, an evaluation will be made as to the level of IHPA endorsement and authorisation to associate with these and the Board will be advised.

Once updated and appropriately finalised, copies will be distributed to the jurisdictions and organisations which may be interested (e.g. HWA). The documents may also be published on the IHPA website. Other resources may also be identified as being relevant for updating and publishing by IHPA, as determined by the Executive.

3.2 New training resource priorities

Within the available resources, IHPA is exploring options for targeted funding of national clinical costing bodies to develop national training resources with flexible modes of delivery. Consideration is also being given to how to best engage with stakeholders (including jurisdictions) regarding national ABF training resources. However, it is important that States remain confident that IHPA is not interfering in their roles as system managers.

Four options for the development new training resources are proposed (in no particular order of preference), as follows:

1. IHPA does not pursue direct development of training resources, with States continuing to have primary responsibility for educating their workforce. IHPA will provide training resource in an advisory capacity as required.
2. Establish an “expert reference group” to guide the development of national ABF-related education resources. It is recommended that such a group should:
   1. consist of no more than eight people, consisting of representatives from the States and the private sector (including both the education and health industries); and
   2. be responsible for providing a co-ordinated approach, advice and expertise to review modes and content of resource material.
3. Approach the market to engage a consultant for a time-limited project to deliver a package of well-defined resources, with the scope determined through existing IHPA governance structures; and
4. Develop a suite of resources in-house with specified personnel, in consultation with stakeholders.

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3.3 19^th National Activity Based Funding and Casemix Conference

IHPA has a key role in the organisation of the annual National Casemix and Activity Based Funding Conference, which provides a forum for educating both stakeholders and the broader community about the implementation of ABF in Australia. As the national ABF system will become the principal framework for public hospital funding in Australia, the Conference will gradually assume a greater role in the provision of ABF-related education and training.

In 2012-13, the IHPA has $450,000 budgeted for the operation of the 19th National Casemix and Activity Based Funding Conference. The Conference is currently scheduled for August 2012. This timing was selected to avoid overlap with the final development activity associated with preparation of the 2013-14 National Efficient Price for November 2012.

The Executive Director, ABF has established internal governance arrangements and has engaged with technical experts through the Technical Advisory Group (TAC) to develop the program, identify potential national and international speakers and inform conference arrangements.

A Request for Tender will be issued shortly eeking a conference organiser, who will be responsible sourcing and recommendation of an appropriate venue, undertake all professional conference services including marketing, management and coordination.

3.4 National training resources recommendations

1. In relation to the development of national training resources, it is recommended that IHPA:
2. Continue with the project to update existing ABF education materials for public release on the IHPA website and distribution to relevant stakeholders.Develop new training materials through existing IHPA governance structures on an as-needed basis with a longer term view to establishing an expert reference group.
3. Continue to organise and promote the annual National Casemix and Activity Based Funding Conference.

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Published date: 22 March 2012