Data and digital technology can enhance the care and wellbeing of older people. Technology can improve the ability to provide care and services and make access to them more user-friendly, efficient, and effective. This allows older people to get information in the way they prefer.
The 2024-2029 digital and data strategy (6.35MB pdf) and its associated action plan provide an outline of the transformation process. It places the older person at the centre of planning and recognises the fundamental role of the workforce and service providers. However, it also outlines the broader technology systems support required such as interoperability, Business to Government (B2G) connectivity and shared standards for clinical information systems
The aged care strategy aligns with a broader National Digital Health Strategy (11.23MB pdf) which is a 5-year plan to create a connected and digitally enabled health care system. The roadmap to implement the strategy represents a coordinated effort on digital health in the primary, secondary, tertiary, community and aged care sectors across Australia.
Aged care services and the workforce will need to consider their digital capability and look at how to support their workforce through these changes and embed digital systems into their organisations.
Palliative care is also increasingly using digital health in its care delivery and service practices. As digital health platforms and applications develop, palliative care has access to an increasing range of digital health opportunities. Digital technologies have the potential for various impacts on patients and health professionals, particularly through ready access and interaction with electronic health records; the ability of patients and family caregivers to create, record, gather and share self-generated health data; and remote monitoring of symptoms.
Artificial intelligence is also altering the landscape of digital futures for both palliative care and aged care.
Page created 01 November 2024