A study outlining the potential productivity gains from healthcare IT integration was published on 9 May, 2024 by the Australian Government Productivity Commission, sparking debate and thought in the sector.
Despite the availability of these technology, widespread adoption remains a barrier, according to CEO of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) Kylie Woolcock. In order to facilitate this transition, the paper stresses that governments must provide legislative frameworks, digital infrastructure, and financing policies.
On the other hand, Woolcock warns against the potentially disastrous expansion of low-value services that could result from ineffective management.
“Investments in digital technology need to drive value,” she says, stressing the significance of knowing how these technologies will affect health and what kind of circumstances will shape their implementation.
Instead of promoting a blanket solution, she urges the localisation of digital technology into healthcare.
“Such flexibility might be around the workforce structures that enable implementation through to protecting equitable access across different population groups,” Woolcock explains.
Moreover, she raises concerns about the broader impacts of shifting to virtual care models, emphasising the need for complementary investments to support a dispersed workforce.
The report highlights the necessity for careful calibration of incentives and subsidies to target high-value care effectively. Woolcock stresses the importance of change management in transitioning to digital-centric care models.
“Value-based healthcare provides a framework that connects grassroots innovation to driving outcomes,” Woolcock claims, raising the importance of the healthcare system coming together to ensure value is achieved.
In the realm of digital health, policymakers and healthcare stakeholders in Australia can derive valuable insights from the Productivity Commission report in order to effectively navigate the dynamic environment. Moving forward, the aim is to create a situation in which healthcare delivery is enhanced by technology as opposed to being entirely replaced by it.
Adrianne Saplagio is a Content Producer at Comms Room, where she combines her passion for storytelling with her expertise in multimedia content creation. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for engaging audiences, Adrianne has been instrumental in crafting compelling narratives that resonate across various digital platforms.
