There are over 200,000 allied health professionals working in Australia, which makes them the largest clinical workforce in primary care, yet they have the lowest rates of digital health integration.
Despite positive adoption of telehealth, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are barriers that prevent allied health from using certain digital health tools at the same rates as other health care providers.
Allied health professionals are a diverse group, employed in a range of settings and workplaces, and require a tailored approach to enable them to use specified digital health tools at the same rates as other health care providers. To support enhanced digital readiness in the allied health sector, the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (the Department) has engaged KPMG to scope strategies required to enhance the digital readiness of the allied health sector, with a particular focus on the clinical information system (CIS) requirements to enable greater adoption of My Health Record.
As part of this KPMG will work with the allied health sector, CIS providers, the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA), peak bodies, and other stakeholders as required to identify and understand any technical, financial, legislative, or cultural barriers to:
- Progress the development and availability of My Health Record-enabled versions of allied health CISs; and,
- Improve the adoption and use of My Health Record-enabled CISs by allied health professionals.
The purpose of the stakeholder consultations is to understand the context, needs and implications of CIS implementation and My Health Record adoption. As part of this work, the Department is working alongside KPMG to understand:
- What is the current usage of CISs by allied health professionals?
- What would encourage software vendors to provide and maintain conformant software?
- What are the views of allied health professionals and consumers regarding the value of My Health Record to allied health practices?
The involvement of allied health professionals with experience working in primary care will be critical to developing a comprehensive understanding of the current environment, and we require your assistance in connecting relevant professionals with this important piece of work.
Participation of the allied health professionals will involve a short consultation via Microsoft Teams.
Interested participants should send their name and contact details via email to CAHO@health.gov.au by 17 February 2023.
Disclaimer: This article was provided by Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency and completeness of any information or material included within.
