It would be nice to believe that Australian primary care involved sitting by Lassiter's Lake drinking milk shakes and that all emergency medicine was done by The Flying Doctors. But there is more to Australia's health system than is sometimes portrayed in soap operas. Australia has all the yardsticks of a well established Western medical system--well equipped hospitals, high standards of staffing, and good health indicators.1

Most health care is supplied by the government through Medicare--a national health insurance scheme available to all and funded through general taxation. Most Australians supplement this with private insurance. The private sector is a lot more substantial than in the United Kingdom; it accounts for about one third of the total contribution to healthcare costs.2

Considering how remote most of this country is, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, founded in 1928, provides a vital service. Its mission is to ensure people who work, live, and travel in outback and rural Australia can have the best possible medical care.3 An extensive network of aircraft and operating bases cover 80% of Australia, delivering a range of primary care, emergency medicine, and medical advice over the radio.

Venomous spider

The disease burden is similar to that in most other industrialised countries. But the fair skinned population, outdoor lifestyle, and hot climate mean that skin cancer is a truly Australian problem, with a higher incidence than anywhere else in the world. Despite the massive prevention campaign--Slip, Slop, Slap, and Wrap--the prevalence of skin cancer is rising faster than any other cancer.4 Although the campaign failed to get people to cover up sufficiently, both the public and the medical community are more aware of the signs and are detecting malignancies earlier. The survival rate is now better than in most other Western countries.5

Less of a threat to humanity, but equally unique to Australia, is the vast array of venomous animals. Casualty officers will see their fair share of snake and spider bites. Antivenomous treatment is the pride of the country's medical system; Australia has truly mastered this field. Despite a 40% chance of death from some untreated animal bites, and the challenge of identifying correctly from the diverse range of species, fewer than 15 such deaths are reported each year.6

Australia has a well established health service, which covers the vast sparsely populated outback. The hot climate and outdoor life gives rise to new medical challenges but also means that we would all love to visit.