Guides: Nursing & Health Sciences: Digital Health

eBooks - Digital Health

Australia's Health Reimagined (2022) Australia’s Health Reimagined builds on the findings of a comprehensive consumer survey to bring much-needed insights into digital health, underpinned by four key aims: Demonstrate why now is the time to reimagine health in Australia Illustrate a bold ambition for the future of health Present a three-horizon model to deliver this future Recommend actions for policy, research and practice
WA Health Digital Strategy 2020–2030 (2019) Aims to take advantage of the innovations transforming healthcare to drive better health outcomes for all Western Australians. The Digital Strategy presents an exciting opportunity for the WA health system. WA Health Digital Strategy 2020-2030 (PDF 3MB) WA Health Digital Strategy 2020-2030 report cover Executive summary Proposed initiatives Consumers of healthcare Strategic themes Roadmap Implementation Next steps

Articles - Digital Health

7 Biggest Future Trends In Healthcare (2022) Around the world, our healthcare systems are under enormous pressure, exacerbated by COVID-19, a growing global population, longer lifespans, and a rise in lifestyle-related diseases – not to mention a global shortage of healthcare professionals that could reach 9.9 million by 2030.
Are we doing it right? We need to evaluate the current approaches for implementation of digital health systems (2021) Successful implementation of digital health programs is imperative as it is becoming increasingly clear that digital solutions will underpin modern health care. These projects are often supported by large budgets and if not implemented successfully, the quality, safety, and efficiency of patient care may be compromised.
Digital Health in Canadian Schools Part A : Nurse Educators Perspectives (2020) Methods: In 2018, a mixed methods study was conducted including a survey of nursing school administrators and nurse educators, telephone interviews, and one focus group meeting to understand the current state of digital health and informatics content integration in nursing curricula within Canadian Schools of Nursing. In this paper, we report on findings pertinent to nurse educators’ perspectives; findings from the nurse administrator survey will be reported separately.
Five ways digital health is reshaping patient care in 2022 When patients think about digital health, they typically envision the opportunity to have a telehealth/virtual visit with a caregiver because they don't feel well or are experiencing symptoms that concern them. However, it's time to start thinking about digital health in a much broader perspective: the capability to anticipate and address issues before serious or life-threatening health concerns arise.
Nursing in the digital health era (2021) Digital health, or the use of digital technologies for health, combines e-health and m-health, as well as emerging areas, such as the use of advanced computing sciences in big data, genomics, and artificial intelligence. The digital health era is about health, not just the healthcare delivery systems. It is citizen centric and driven by citizens' demands that their health and well-being be controlled by them, and citizens' expectations that health services respond to their needs digitally, with workflows embedded within their life patterns, rather than within the patterns of convenience of health service providers
Ownership, Use of, and Interest in Digital Mental Health Technologies Among Clinicians and Young People Across a Spectrum of Clinical Care Needs: Cross-sectional Survey (2022) There is currently an increased interest in and acceptance of technology-enabled mental health care. To adequately harness this opportunity, it is critical that the design and development of digital mental health technologies be informed by the needs and preferences of end users.
The Rapid Development of Virtual Care Tools in Response to COVID-19: Case Studies in Three Australian Health Services (2022) News of the impact of COVID-19 around the world delivered a brief opportunity for Australian health services to plan new ways of delivering care to large numbers of people while maintaining staff safety through greater physical separation. The rapid pivot to telemedicine and virtual care provided immediate and longer term benefits; however, such rapid-cycle development also created risks.

Websites - Digital Health

National Digital Health Framework Australia's National Digital Health Strategy - Safe, Seamless and Secure: evolving health and care to meet the needs of modern Australia
Digital Health Australia The need for a connected healthcare system is greater than ever - one that’s accessible, progressive and secure. Better use of data and technology is helping people live healthier lives, with greater control and better access to important health information.
Nursing and Midwifery Australia's largest healthcare workforce of nurses and midwives are increasingly using digital health technologies in the delivery of safe, quality and person-centred care.
RACGP - On Demand Telehealth Services Gives a good overview of telehealth, including definition, models, benefits and risks.
MBS Telehealth Services (2022) MBS telehealth items will continue to be available to GPs, medical practitioners, specialists, consultant physicians, nurse practitioners, participating midwives, allied health providers and dental practitioners in the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Telehealth Australia (2020) Telehealth allows you to consult a healthcare provider by phone or a video call. Telehealth was expanded in March 2020 to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these services have now been retained permanently.
Avatar helps students communicate with patients (2016) Psychology and speech pathology students at Curtin University are developing their patient empathy skills through ‘real life’ learning with the help of the avatar Jim, an elderly Australian farmer with mild dementia.
Digital Health - WHO Digital health – a broad umbrella term encompassing e-health, as well as developing areas such as the use of advanced computer sciences (for example, in the fields of “big data”, genomics and artificial intelligence) – plays an important role in strengthening health systems and public health, increasing equity in access to health services, and in working towards universal health coverage.
How modern technology is changing healthcare Technology in healthcare is a critical player in the future of the industry. Just as technologies such as computers, mobile phones, 3D printing, big data and cloud computing have transformed most aspects of our lives over the past few decades, so they will transform healthcare in years to come. This revolution is a result of the convergence of clever new technologies with an increasingly informed patient population. As this combination matures, we will see dramatic improvements in healthcare delivery.

Online Videos - Digital Health

The 7 Biggest Future Trends In Healthcare (2022) The healthcare sector is under enormous pressure and is undergoing huge transformations. Here we look at the seven biggest trends in the healthcare sector.
Clinical Virtual Reality Treatments (2020) Since the mid-1990s, significant scientific literature has evolved regarding the outcomes from the use of what we now refer to as Clinical Virtual Reality (VR). This use of VR simulation technology has produced encouraging results when applied to address cognitive, psychological, motor, and functional impairments across a wide range of clinical health conditions.
Telehealth 101 for Mental Health (2020) Very comprehensive video discussing benefits/risks, documentation, legalities and obtaining informed consent. American but useful
WA Health Digital Strategy 2020-2030 (2019) The WA Health Digital Strategy 2020–2030 (the Digital Strategy) aims to take advantage of the innovations transforming healthcare to drive better health outcomes for all Western Australians. The Digital Strategy presents an exciting opportunity for the WA health system.
What is digital health? (2021) Australia has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, but there are still opportunities for improvement. Better use of technology can help improve the healthcare system for providers and help people live healthier lives, with greater control and better access to important health information. Video Accessibility Video Accessibility is essential for people with disabilities.

WA Country Health Service Telehealth Infographic

©WA Country Health Service used with permission (2022)

Telehealth Connecting virtually with telehealth lets you talk to your health care provider by video or telephone from your local hospital, health clinic or even from home if you have good internet coverage and a suitable computer, tablet or phone. There’s no need to drive kilometres for a health care appointment or pay for accommodation. It means you can stay home with your family, take less time off work and still receive quality health care.

Apps

Most Government organisations ( and others too) have Apps associated with them - some examples are Health Direct, Cancer Council, Beyond Blue

Other useful Apps include:

My FitnessPal

Couch to 5k

Healthi App

Calm Calm is the #1 app for sleep and meditation. Join the millions experiencing better sleep, lower stress, and less anxiety.
Dementia Apps Includes various apps which can be downloaded
Health and Wellbeing apps - Health Direct Apps and online programs can help you when you need it most. Below you'll find the healthdirect app, plus apps and online programs from trusted information partners. Children's health Pregnancy and parenting General health and wellbeing Domestic violence Disability and chronic conditions Cancer Asthma Mental health
Universal Music Group Is Exclusive Launch Partner For Innovative Australian Dementia App (2022) Dementia patients can now plug into music therapy through an innovative Australian app that’s fed by Universal Music Group’s enormous catalogue. UMG, the world’s leading music company, is the launch partner for Vera, an intuitive, A.I.-powered “music intervention” tool that’s designed to help those battling dementia.