$20 million invested in digital health technologies by Australian Government
$20 million invested in digital health technologies by Australian Government
$20 million invested into digital technologies to improve Australian healthcare.
The Albanese Government announced a $20 million investment into digital technologies to improve Australian healthcare.
Why it matters?
Australian doctors face significant administrative burdens worsened by fragmented data communication (poor interoperability) which negatively impacts job satisfaction, efficiency and value of care. Digital health and AI technology presents an innovative solution to this problem.
The context
The use of digital services and technologies in Australia has boomed since COVID19. Important government agencies in digital health includes:
Australia’s National Digital Health Initiative, ANDHealth+ - Australia’s leading digital health commercialisation program funded by Australian Government.
Australian Digital Health Agency, ADHA - accelerates adoption of digital health technologies and helps connect services to each other.
An Australian example of digital health technology: CareMonitor
Won the ADHA Innovation Award for 2024
CareMonitor is a digital healthcare platform used by hospitals, GPs and other healthcare providers in NSW
Its capabilities include (non-exhaustive list):
Remote monitoring of patient data including blood pressure, blood sugar, other wearable device data for early detection of declining health
Aggregates patient health data into a single profile so all healthcare providers can access the information on one platform
Allows for patient health goal management which can be monitored by the patient’s healthcare providers
Allows for task allocation for healthcare providers to minimise confusion for patients who have multiple specialists
Can use health data for predictive modelling and risk stratification of patients in a community
Sends public health reminders for patients through the app e.g. immunisation
Challenges facing digital health
Poor interoperability of Australian health platforms makes data integration challenging
Digital divide between rural and urban areas may deepen disparities
Digital literacy and willingness to try new technologies may limit uptake
Environmental impacts of artificial intelligence may not be considered
Policy recommendations
Support state and territory-level investments into digital health infrastructure, implementation and interoperability
Incorporate digital health technology into continuing professional development frameworks to upskill medical workforce
Support investment into equity, social justice and environmental justice reviews of digital health technologies to ensure net positive impact on disparities
Ensure collaboration between digital health technologies
