The Australian Digital Health Agency has launched a nationwide online survey as part of a wider process to define a new national strategy around digital health.

The current national digital health strategy, whose implementation began in 2017, is set to end next year when a new strategy is targeted for enforcement.

WHY IT MATTERS

According to the website, feedback from the nationwide survey – which will run until October this year – will be used to develop the draft strategy and implementation plan on digital health for governments, healthcare providers, consumers, innovators and the technology industry.

ADHA CEO Amanda Cattermole said the 2022-2027 national digital health strategy will "lay the foundations for next-generation healthcare" in the country.

THE LARGER TREND

The present digital health strategy aims to meet seven strategic priority outcomes, namely:

• Health information that is available whenever and wherever it is needed;

• Health information that can be exchanged securely;

• High-quality data with a commonly understood meaning that can be used with confidence;

• Better availability and access to prescriptions and medicines information;

• Digitally-enabled models of care that drive improved accessibility, quality, safety and efficiency;

• A workforce confidently using digital health technologies to deliver health and care; and

• A thriving digital health industry delivering world-class innovation.

These outcomes are expected to be delivered by next year.

While the ADHA has yet to make a full progress report on the implementation of the strategy, it claims that the Australian people are now experiencing a "better-connected" healthcare system through digital health. 

Over the past two years, Cattermole notes, there has been an "unprecedented acceleration in the development and introduction of digital health innovation delivered to Australians at a time when we needed it most".

For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were over 70 million teleconsultations and 15 million e-prescriptions made. 

My Health Record, a digital health record platform operated by the ADHA, has now around 23 million registered people who are given access to their vaccination statuses, prescriptions, information on allergies and pathology, diagnostic and COVID-19 test results. 

ON THE RECORD

"​​It’s a journey that began in 2017 with the first national digital health strategy and will continue with the 2022-27 national digital health strategy. We will build on the success and achievements of the current model – which delivered the expansion of My Health Record, telehealth, electronic prescribing, workforce education and an extensive community engagement program to empower consumers to manage their health information," Cattermole stated.