Here are a few I have come across the last week or so. Note: Each link is followed by a title and a few paragraphs. For the full article click on the link above title of the article. Note also that full access to some links may require site registration or subscription payment.
General Comment
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An very interrupted week with very little seemingly going on and the election in full swing. Poor old digital health is way down the agenda!
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/health-apps-may-not-disclose-sharing-your-personal-information-524304
Health apps may not disclose sharing your personal information
Black Dog Institute report finds privacy shortfall.
While nine out of ten phone apps for depression and smoking cessation assessed in a recent study were found to be sharing user data with third parties, only two out of three disclosed they were doing so.
Much of that data, including linkable identifiers, was shared with Google and Facebook, among others, but barely half of apps sharing data with those two giant companies told users about it, researchers report in JAMA Network Open.
“If you download a mental health or smoking cessation app, there’s a high chance it will share marketing, advertising or usage tracking data with either Facebook or Google,” said the study’s lead author Kit Huckvale, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Black Dog Institute in Randwick, Australia.
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Why does information security matter in general practice?
GP – and former IT systems administrator – Dr David Adam wants GPs to know why information security matters.
26 Apr 2019
Dr Adam, a member of the RACGP Expert Committee – Practice Technology and Management, will be presenting one of the RACGP’s upcoming eHealth webinars, which will take place on Tuesday 30 April and Thursday 2 May.
He recently spoke with newsGP about the importance of information security.
What do GPs need to know about information security?
As we deal with more and more information in our practice, we need to understand the systems that provide and store this information.
Like the human body, we need to know how they work, but also how they can fail and what steps can be taken to avoid harm.
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He recently spoke with newsGP about the importance of information security.
What do GPs need to know about information security?
As we deal with more and more information in our practice, we need to understand the systems that provide and store this information.
Like the human body, we need to know how they work, but also how they can fail and what steps can be taken to avoid harm.
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Industry prepares medical professionals for remote healthcare delivery
Hafizah Osman | 23 Apr 2019
Two Australian organisations have joined forces in a bid to improve remote healthcare delivery and attract more doctors to rural and remote communities across Australia.
Swinburne University of Technology has partnered with CSIRO startup Coviu to embed digital health technology in the classroom, clinic and research by using the latest telehealth technology to treat Australian's remotely.
The partnership will see Coviu, a company which specialises in online health consultations by using AI to connect doctors with hard-to-reach patients, provide access to its technology for Swinburne students, researchers and clinical services to redefine models of healthcare.
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The doctor will FaceTime you now: developments in telemedicine and digital health
Technology now plays a part in practically every area of our daily lives, from smartphones and contactless payments to digital media and smart refrigerators. So it was only a matter of time before the realms of technology and healthcare collided. As ever, our Lexology contributors have kept their fingers on the pulse of telemedicine and digital health; this blog post highlights some of the key trends they’re covering.
DLA Piper kicked off the year with a top three of predictions for AI and the IoT: the key takeaway being that, as flagged by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in 2015, “every business will become a software business” – but is the healthcare sector ready? Recognising the need for healthcare providers to get to grips with this new area, Greensfelder Hemker & Gale PC recently launched a new four-part series with an article examining the regulations and risks within the telehealth sector. The piece stated that as yet, no federal law exists in this area – so providers need to rely on the same laws as apply to ‘brick-and-mortar’ providers, including HIPAA. Despite the lack of federal regulation, public agencies are starting to invest in the sector – for example, as discussed by Buchalter, the Federal Communications Commission’s Connected Care Pilot Program will result in a $100 million telehealth investment. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) and the Veterans Association are also getting involved, working on budgetary aid for telehealth services; Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP reports on these and other legislative developments as part of its Tele-Tuesdays series. CMS is also relaxing the billing requirements for telehealth services – Brouse McDowell’s handy podcast looks at the three new ‘virtual care’ codes applicable in 2019.
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ACT Health embarks on connected health strategy with Spectralink Versity
Hafizah Osman | 26 Apr 2019
ACT Health is rolling out Wavelink’s Spectralink Versity enterprise mobility solution across five of its facilities, including Canberra Hospital.
The deal involves the roll out of 2000 of the Spectralink Versity handsets by July.
Spectralink Versity is an Android smartphone, purpose-built for healthcare. It is durable, waterproof, and has secure messaging capabilities, in addition to personalised settings for each user.
A higher-grade model has a barcode scanner, which enables integration into EMRs.
ACT Health will be using a combination of both models.
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Google questioned over reports of massive device tracking database
US congressional leaders raise concerns.
The top Democrats and Republicans on the US House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday wrote to Google chief executive Sundar Pichai raising concerns about reports of a massive database known as Sensorvault containing precise consumer location information on hundreds of millions of devices.
The letter seeks a briefing and answers on how this information is used and shared, citing a New York Times report that the database includes nearly every consumer with an Android mobile device, in some cases storing information dating to 2009.
The report said the database is used to fulfil geofence warrants obtained by law enforcement agencies, which seek details of all phones in a particular area at a particular time.
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Google gets FAA green light for drone delivery of consumer items
- By Andy Pasztor
- The Wall Street Journal
- April 24, 2019
Alphabet’s Wing aviation unit has received the first US authorisation to operate a fleet of unmanned aircraft for consumer-goods deliveries, a move that could jump-start various companies’ commercial drone services nationwide.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s decision represents a regulatory coup for Wing in a budding, fiercely competitive industry. Amazon.com and other companies are vying for similar approvals to transport food and small consumer goods to residential customers.
Industry officials in the past have said it was likely to take until 2020 or 2021 for the FAA to implement wide-ranging drone rules establishing a framework for package deliveries.
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No, drone delivery still isn’t ready for prime time
Despite incremental progress and limited regulatory approval in the U.S. and Australia, drone delivery still isn’t a viable option in the vast majority of use cases.
April has a been a big month for drone delivery. First, Alphabet’s Wing Aviation drones got approval from Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), for public deliveries in the country, and this week Wing earned Air Carrier Certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. These two regulatory wins got lot of people got very excited. Finally, the conventional wisdom exulted, drone delivery is actually becoming a reality.
Not so fast.
Drone delivery still in pilot/testing mode
Despite some small-scale successes and the first signs of regulatory acceptance, drone delivery remains firmly in the carefully controlled pilot/test phase (and yes, I know drones don’t carry pilots).
For example, despite getting FAA approval to begin commercial deliveries, Wing is still working up beginning delivery trials to test the technology and gather information in Virginia later this year.
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Western Australia establishes precision health council for improved health outcomes
Early priorities of the council will include identifying and enhancing successful precision health initiatives already operating in WA's health system, and determining key areas that could benefit from increased integration of precision health measures.
By Dean Koh
April 26, 2019 02:53 AM
Earlier this week, the Western Australia (WA) Government announced the establishment of a new Ministerial Council that will advise the State Government on opportunities to further develop and support precision health advances.
Precision health uses new and emerging technologies to enhance disease prevention and early detection, and improve patient outcomes through treatments tailored to patients' individual genetic profiles, as well as their variable responses to the environment and lifestyle.
The Precision Health Council will be chaired by South Metropolitan MLC Kate Doust and is expected to hold its first meeting within the coming months.
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One hour a day: World Health Organisation issues first guidelines for kids' screen time
By Rachel Siegel and Craig Timberg
April 25, 2019 — 4.03am
Children younger than a year old shouldn't be exposed to any electronic screens, according to guidelines issued Wednesday by the World Health Organisation.
The United Nations agency, issuing its first such guidelines, also recommended that children ages two to four have no more than one hour of "sedentary screen time" - including playing computer games or watching TV - per day. It emphasised that young kids need be physically active and get enough sleep, habits that go a long way in preventing obesity and other diseases later in life.
Children are being urged to go outside and take a break from handheld devices or risk short-sightedness.
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A GP's guide to the impact of digital screens on young eyes
How much is too much for children's vision, and how can you help parents set limits?
17th April 2019
Without doubt, more of us are spending longer on screens in our increasingly digital world. GPs are likely to encounter parents asking about the effects on their children’s visual and brain development.
‘Screen time’ includes any time looking at a screen, including television, computers, smartphones, tablets and video consoles.
As ophthalmologists, we are seeing an increase in device-related dry eye, and a new syndrome called ‘digital eye strain’, which tends to predominantly affect adults.
In children and adolescents, there is an increase in myopia, or short sightedness, directly related to increased hours performing near tasks.
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The evolving role of the CCIO – A chat with Dr Mark Simpson, CCIO, eHealth NSW
Healthcare IT News spoke to Dr Simpson about his new appointment as CCIO at eHealth NSW, the major projects he will be working on and his thoughts on the evolving role of the CCIO.
By Dean Koh
April 24, 2019 12:00 AM
eHealth NSW has been established as a distinct organisation within the New South Wales (NSW) Ministry of Health in Australia to provide statewide leadership on the shape, delivery and management of ICT-led healthcare. One of the most recent appointments at the agency is its new Chief Clinical Information Officer, Dr Mark Simpson, who joined in January this year.
Healthcare IT News learnt from Dr Simpson in an email interview about his new role at eHealth NSW, major projects that he will be working on, as well as his thoughts on the evolving role of the CCIO.
Could you tell us more about your role as CCIO at eHealth NSW?
I’m hugely excited to have started work as the Chief Clinical Information Officer for eHealth NSW, a role in which I am working collaboratively with NSW Health clinicians from across the state on transformative digital health strategies, programs and services. It’s an exciting time to join eHealth NSW. The 10-year eHealth Strategy for NSW Health: 2016-2026 has led to a great core level of coordinated delivery of digital services across the state, and the next six years will secure the consolidation of that fantastic start – as well as encouraging a much broader engagement of the clinical nursing and allied health professionals who are at the heart of this digital strategy.
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Audit finds inefficiencies, overlaps in health networks
22 April, 2019
An audit has found that “ambiguity” in the governance structure of NSW local health districts and poor engagement with medical staff is hampering performance.
The audit, released on April 18, found the responsibilities of local health districts (LHDs), which provide public hospitals and related health services to local communities, are in some cases unclear, potentially resulting in duplications and inefficiencies.
The audit also found that more collaboration is needed with medical staff in key decisions affecting the NSW health system.
While the responsibilities of LHDs and their relationship with other bodies are generally understood by board members, staff and stakeholders, there is ambiguity around more complex functions which needs addressing, the NSW Auditor said.
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Labor's AI vision for Melbourne
Apr 23, 2019 — 12.01am
Key Points
- A Labor government would set up a $4m AI centre of excellence in Melbourne.
- The centre will combine business and academic expertise, with an ethics focus.
- Labor is pressuring global tech firms to invest in local companies developing AI
Labor has chosen Melbourne to be the home of a planned $4 million national centre of excellence for artificial intelligence, forming a partnership with the Victorian government to target AI development initiatives that could benefit society as well as commercial interests.
The Opposition has also begun putting pressure on international technology firms operating venture funds in Australia to direct some of their money towards local companies working on socially progressive AI initiatives.
The plan to create an AI centre was first flagged by Labor's shadow Minister for the Digital Economy Ed Husic at The Australian Financial Review's annual Innovation Summit last year, but in addition to $3 million of federal funding, the Victorian Labor government has promised $1 million as part of its push to have the centre in Melbourne.
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ePIP exemption guidance
This guidance is for general practices that have received a Practice Incentives Program eHealth Incentive (ePIP) compliance letter and are considering applying for an exemption. General practices should consult this table prior to applying for an exemption and satisfy themselves that there is evidence to support their claim.
Please note: Any evidence provided should not include information that could identify a patient or otherwise compromise their privacy. All supporting information should have individual patient information de-identified prior to submission.
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Encryption law: tech sector waiting for someone else to bell the cat
- 26 April 2019
- Written by Sam Varghese
Australians may not have learnt much from the on-again, off-again election campaign that began on 11 April, but one thing has been made abundantly clear: the technology sector in this country is made up of wimps who are afraid to make anything, even an encryption law which they claim could destroy their industry, into an election issue.
The Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 became law on 6 December last year and there was hope among the tech boffins that a review instituted by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, with a reporting date of 3 April, would provide some solace.
But the PJCIS did what politicians do best and kicked the issue down the road, asking the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor, Dr James Renwick, to review the law and report back by 1 March 2020.
Not a single amendment was recommended and a week or so later, the election was called. This means that the entire technology sector will have to wait, with what is literally the sword of Damocles dangling over it, for another year.
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Labor faces reality on NBN but the dream died long ago
Liberal party may crow that its version of the NBN won out, but that's because it oversaw the network for most of its life.
It's quite fitting that it took ten argumentative years since the National Broadband Network kicked off on April 6, 2009, for Labor to finally make do with what is in the ground.
The network is pretty much done -- either the build is complete, or designs and contracts have been signed off across the nation, and the Turnboolean NBN has won out, warts and all.
Anyone expecting the Labor party to descend from the skies and present a plan endorsing the return to a full fibre rollout where possible has ignored the one topic that has constantly dogged the project: Cost.
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Enjoy!
David.
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