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Health & Biotech
Digital technologies are now an integral part of our daily life but according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) their applications to improve the health of populations remains largely untapped.
In 2023, the Federal Government released a 10-year Digital Health Blueprint “to ensure that digital systems drive better care for all Australians”.
“Digital health technologies enable more efficient and collaborative healthcare for both patients and practitioners,” Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said.
“They provide more affordable, convenient, and accessible care to people. All while delivering better care and better health outcomes.”
The federal budget in May further committed investment across aged care, virtual care, medical research, and artificial intelligence.
The Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC) facilitated a roundtable with its digital health technology partners and Production Commissioner Catherine de Fontenay, as part of consultation for the Productivity Commission’s Leveraging digital technology in healthcare research paper.
Released earlier this year the paper showed potential for digital health integration to deliver a more connected and efficient healthcare system, including a hefty $5.5bn that could be saved annually off the health budget.
Several other major initiatives are underway acknowledging the importance of digital health into Australia’s future, including the Aged Care Data and Digital Action Plan detailing actions to create a sustainable and productive aged care sector through data and digital innovation.
DHCRC’s flagship Aged Care Data Compare Plus project is being led out of The University of Queensland (UQ) alongside large-scale aged-care provider Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG) and software supplier AutumnCare.
The research project will look to trial and evaluate a prototype aged care quality indicator app with the goal to create a benchmarking and reporting solution for the residential aged care sector.
Established in 2018, the DHCRC is advancing digital health innovation by linking academia, industry and government to accelerate research implementation, enable effective use of data, connect care, empower the health workforce and support consumers to confidently be in control of their health and wellbeing.
The organisation is funded through the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ Cooperative Research Centres Program, and is supported by more than 60 participant organisations across the university, healthcare and technology industries.
Stockhead caught up with DHCRC CEO Annette Schmiede to discuss the future of digital innovation and technologies in Australia’s healthcare sector and its potential to be a leader globally in the field.
According to Schmiede digital health covers the broad scope of tools and technologies used to diagnose and treat patients along with collecting and sharing patient health information.
She said telehealth services, electronic medical records, wearable devices and artificial intelligence was all examples of how digital is being used to provide more affordable, convenient, and accessible care.
Schmiede said the DHCRC coordinates a range of research projects and activities that was connecting the technology sector with the healthcare industry and researchers.
“Individually, these are often ground-breaking initiatives that span the broad spectrum of digital health,” she said.
“When viewed together, these projects provide insight into the trends and issues affecting the health sector and how they can be sustainably implemented.”
Health science research in Australia is ranked seventh globally, and Australia is ranked fifth in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation.
However, Schmiede said it was important to translate this research into commercial and practical solutions to improve healthcare and efficiency.
“When over 70% of all healthcare services are funded by governments, it is vital that the health system works as efficiently as possible,” she said.
“With predictions that the fastest growing components of future government expenditure are health, aged care, and disability services, supporting increased efficiency and effectiveness across these services is a critical goal.”
Schmiede said supporting efforts of the Federal Government’s initiatives remains a priority, along with maximising the research translation from DHCRC’s R&D investment and upskilling the health workforce.
“It is so gratifying to see this attention, finally, being placed on digital health,” she said.
“We have a once in a generation opportunity to take advantage of this attention, to transform the delivery of healthcare, and to improve patient experiences.
“We plan to help drive this forward every step of the way.”
Schmiede said during Covid Australia saw more than a decade worth of innovation occur across the healthcare sector in less than two years.
“There is now a unique opportunity to double down on that innovation and deliver more personalised, connected and effective care for all Australians,” she said.
The Skills Priority List 2023 report shows that more than four in five health professional occupations (82%) were in shortage in 2023.
Projected demand for healthcare services may also exacerbate shortages with Australia’s growing and ageing population placing increased demand on healthcare services.
By 2050, it was projected that older people – aged 65 and over – in Australia will make up around 22% of the total population compared to 17% in 2022.
“As people age, there is a higher prevalence of chronic conditions and a greater need for medical care, leading to an elevated demand for healthcare professionals,” Schmiede said.
She said the DHCRC was actively looking to address this gap and empower the next generation of health leaders through a dedicated education and workforce capacity building program.
“As the digital healthcare sector continues to accelerate, technology and data are only tools to support better healthcare outcomes – people are the drivers of change,” she said.
“We collaborate with university and industry partners to identify and co-create bespoke educational opportunities to develop digital literacy, support digital transformation and build digital leadership capacity and capability.
“We have a cohort of over 150 higher degree research students, interns and postdoctoral fellows who have contributed to our growing body of evidence supporting the digitalisation of the health sector.”
Coming up: ASX stocks at centre of digital health transformation
Health & Biotech
Health & Biotech
Health & Biotech
