Enabling the success of academic health science centres in Australia: where is the leadership?

Lack of policy development hinders the effective integration of research, education and health care delivery

The expanding health care demands of our community require that our health system have an expanding knowledge base, enhanced capability, greater process efficiency and more targeted application of clinical interventions. The search for new groundbreaking discoveries should continue unabated (for example, in replicating the success of statins in ameliorating coronary heart disease or antiretroviral therapy in controlling HIV infection). However, there is an equally important, immediate and ongoing daily need for all patients to receive better, safer and more efficient care from highly competent health professionals using existing knowledge and resources. This responsibility must be shared between health administrators, front-line health professionals, and academic teachers and researchers.