MONDAY, 22 JULY 2024: Today, The HCF Research Foundation, Australia’s largest non-government funder of health services research, opened the first national roundtable on the advancement of short stay joint replacement models of care in Australia, reaffirming the Foundation’s commitment to leading discussions and advocating for non-partisan, stakeholder-driven solutions to emerging healthcare challenges.

Short stay programs, also known as ‘fast track’ or ‘rapid recovery’ programs, have now been used successfully in many different countries, but they are less common in Australia.¹ The roundtable convened by HCF Research Foundation and held in Sydney provides a unique opportunity for key stakeholders including clinicians, administrators, government representatives, consumers, and funders to bridge knowledge gaps and develop a better understanding of key challenges to and enablers for broadly implementing short-stay models of care.

Evidence suggests that adopting these programs nationally could result in substantial returns on investment for the healthcare system and its funders, provided identified barriers are addressed. The goal of the roundtable is to develop a clear and actionable plan for stakeholders to further implement short stay models across Australia in both public and private settings.

“Without significant reform, the healthcare system will struggle to meet the increased demand for these procedures given our ageing population, longer life expectancy, and rising obesity rates,” said Professor Ilana Ackerman of Monash University, whose research has forecast a staggering surge in joint replacement surgeries.

By 2030, total knee replacements are expected to increase by 276 percent and total hip replacements by 208 percent. This increase could push the total cost to the healthcare system to $5.32 billion annually, of which $3.54 billion relates to the private sector.¹

“This expected growth in joint replacement surgeries underscores an urgent need for new and creative solutions and greater system reform in healthcare models, especially as healthcare costs continue to climb and delays in the public health system prolong elective surgery waits,” Professor Ackerman said.

Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveal that almost one in five (19%) total hip replacement patients and nearly one in three (30%) total knee replacement patients are already waiting over a year for surgery in the public health system.² Additionally, a significant proportion of these procedures are being shifted to the private system, highlighting its critical role in addressing the backlog.

Professor Ackerman will present findings from her recently completed research project funded by an HCF Research Foundation Innovation Research Grant at the forum. The project aims to expand the evidence base on the safety of short-stay joint replacement programs and provide guidance for new fast-track initiatives.

The research includes a systematic review and meta-analysis of short-stay programmes focusing on safety and optimal patient selection,³ a national cross-sectional stakeholder survey on the acceptability and feasibility of short-stay programs,⁴ and a budget impact analysis examining the potential economic value of short-stay programs, including cost savings, hospital bed day savings and increases in surgical throughput.

Emphasising the importance of the initiative, Professor Claire Jackson AM, Chair of the HCF Research Foundation said: “This forum provides a great opportunity for knowledge sharing and learning across government, providers, funds, and consumers.

“By fostering a collective, non-partisan approach, we can better address the challenges facing our population and healthcare system, in support of the Foundation’s mission to improve health access and outcomes for all Australians,” Professor Jackson said.

Head of the HCF Research Foundation, Dr Christopher Pettigrew added: “We are proud of the support we’ve provided researchers like Professor Ackerman and her team, helping to make healthcare more responsive, affordable, and of high quality, and look forward to seeing this research translated into meaningful health outcomes.”

The HCF Research Foundation will collate and share the results of the roundtable in an upcoming report to be published later this year. Since its establishment in 2000, the Foundation has invested over $31 million in research across 150 grants, supporting projects that aim to improve health services for all Australians.

For more information please visit: https://www.hcf.com.au/about-us/hcf-foundation

ENDS

Media enquiries to:

Joni Thomes 0475 576 738 or jthomes@hcf.com.au

REFERENCES

1. Ackerman, I.N., Bohensky, M.A., Zomer, E. et al. The projected burden of primary total knee and hip replacement for osteoarthritis in Australia to the year 2030. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 20, 90 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-019-2411-9
2. Australian institute of Health and Welfare. Elective surgery waiting times 2020-21. Available from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/myhospitals/sectors/elective-surgery;accessed 17.7.24
3. Berkovic, D., Vallance, P., Harris, I.A. et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of short-stay programmes for total hip and knee replacement, focusing on safety and optimal patient selection. BMC Med 21, 511 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-023-03219-5
4. Ackerman, I.N., Berkovic, D., Soh, SE. et al. Stakeholder perspectives on short-stay joint replacement programs: results from a national cross-sectional study. BMC Health Serv Res 23, 1436 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10427-5

ABOUT THE HCF RESEARCH FOUNDATION
The HCF Research Foundation was established in 2000 as The HCF Health and Medical Research Foundation to fund health and medical research for the benefit of all Australians. In 2008 the focus was moved towards health services research, an area of research which does not receive large funding dollars from other sources. In 2013 the name was simplified to HCF Research Foundation and in 2015 a Corporate Trustee was established to manage the Foundation’s affairs. The HCF Research Foundation was originally established with a donation from The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited (HCF). While HCF has donated money, the HCF Research Foundation operates independently and with specific focus on funding health services research that can benefit all 23 million Australians. To learn more about the Foundation go to hcf.com.au/about-us/hcf-foundation

ABOUT HCF
HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund protecting Australians since 1932, covers almost 2 million members with health and life insurance, travel, pet, home and car insurance. HCF has been awarded Outstanding Value Health Insurance by Canstar eight years in a row from 2016-2023. On average over the last ten years, HCF has paid out more cents in every dollar in premiums to members as benefits than the industry average. To learn more about HCF go to hcf.com.au/about-us