Two themes dominate discussion of healthcare in many countries. First, how can change or reform of existing systems make healthcare more accessible to all but also restrain the increasing costs? Second, how can reform put the user or patient or consumer at the centre of the system rather than the dumb recipient? In exploring these two themes we will be attempting to focus on what are the implications for managers and professionals working in pathology.

In the United States a key task for Barack Obama in his first term is to change the US healthcare system in order to achieve a number of key objectives including access for a significant number of Americans who do not currently have healthcare insurance. Achieving these goals is proving understandably difficult for all numbers of reasons which will be discussed by Robert Michel who will also talk about the broader implications for healthcare reform in the US including the pathology and diagnostic industry.

Here in Australia the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission NHHRC report is still being digested. The PM and Federal Health Minister are touring the country gauging opinion and getting feedback while many just want the dominant problem of State versus Federal funding of hospitals to be fixed. Although pathology gets little if any specific mention within the NHHRC report, there could be “spin off” effects. For example the report discusses different funding models including alternatives to fee for service such as outcomes based funding. Might such a model be considered for pathology given the current absence of an MOU for funding? To provide a broad perspective on this and other aspects of Australian Healthcare reform will be Jeff Braithwaite.

Technology is viewed by many as a key driver of escalating healthcare costs and no end is seen in sight. However that view is not universal and the goal of better accessibility and lower cost healthcare is seen as achievable if one looks at what has happened in other businesses. The concept of disruptive technologies on established markets is certainly well documented and its advocates make an interesting case for the growing importance of diagnostics in achieving that disruption in medicine. Prior to hearing about Australia and US healthcare reform we will get an overview of the disruptive technology model and discussion about its relevance to a less “business” orientated healthcare system such as Australia.