New national strategy puts Australians in control of personal health

A comprehensive 5-year plan is underway to put Australians at the forefront of managing and enhancing their personal health and well-being through digital advancements.

The National Digital Health Strategy 2023-2028 marks a significant step towards a more inclusive, sustainable and healthier future for all Australians.

Australian Digital Health Agency CEO Amanda Cattermole PSM emphasised the collaborative effort between federal, state and territory governments, along with extensive consultations with various stakeholders, in shaping this strategy.

“In an age of precision medicine, characterised by healthcare innovations like wearable technology and AI-driven genomic research, we are witnessing a paradigm shift towards personalised and preventative healthcare. The National Digital Health Strategy is essential to support this shift while fostering a connected, secure, inclusive and ethical healthcare system, backed by robust legislation,” Cattermole said.

The strategy focuses on nationally coordinated efforts to drive digital health transformation, ensuring that Australians, regardless of their location, can benefit from tailored digital healthcare.

The National Digital Health Strategy 2023-2028 aims to achieve four key outcomes:

1. Digitally Enabled: Ensuring that health services are interconnected, safe, secure and sustainable.
2. Person-Centred: Empowering Australians with the right information and tools to manage their health effectively.
3. Inclusive: Ensuring equitable access to health services for all Australians.
4. Data-Driven: Utilising readily available data to inform decision-making at various levels, contributing to a sustainable healthcare system.

Dr Steve Hambleton, Chief Clinical Advisor at the Agency, highlighted how technological advancements are already improving health outcomes and reducing inefficiencies. He emphasised the importance of programs like automatic sharing of diagnostic tests to My Health Record, enabling clinicians to access critical information promptly.

“Digital tools will never replace doctors but doctors who use digital tools will likely replace doctors who don’t,” Dr Hambleton said.

With this strategy in place, Australia is poised to embrace the digital revolution in healthcare, bringing about positive changes in how individuals engage with and manage their health.

Healthcare Channel Admin

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