Guest Editorial: Getting Evidence into Policy - Stimulating Debate and Building the Evidence Base

In this special edition of the Journal, we have brought together papers with the aim of contributing to primary health care reform in Australia. The papers will stimulate further debate and increase the evidence base through which policies can be informed. Does primary health care in Australia need reform? Are there fundamental problems with the health system demanding a reform response? The challenges confronting Australia's health care system over the next decade are real and well documented (Productivity Commission, 2005; Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee [AMWAC], 2005). They include the ageing population and longer life expectancies, the increasing prevalence of chronic illness and co-morbidity, heightened consumer expectations, advances in health technologies and shortages in the health workforce.