This appeared last week:
Northern Territory project to enhance digital health tools deployment in indigenous communities
It aims to develop virtual care models based on the preferences of consumers and healthcare providers.
By Adam Ang
August 10, 2022 03:16 AM
A new project led by NT Health and the Menzies School of Health Research aims to develop virtual care models that meet the specific needs of indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Based on a media release, this three-year project under the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC) will evaluate how existing and emerging technologies could be best deployed in remote indigenous communities.
It will identify the preferences of consumers and healthcare providers regarding virtual care, as well as address the lack of knowledge in deploying digital tools. "Recommendations will be based on needs and preferences identified by both consumers and health professionals, with a particular focus on integrating multiple professional groups working in remote [primary healthcare service]," explained Menzies professor John Wakerman.
The project also involves the participation of several organisations, including the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, the University of Sydney, Healthdirect Australia, and the NT Primary Health Network.
WHY IT MATTERS
According to DHCRC, outcomes from the study will help identify gaps in existing technologies, systems, and processes; provide guidance on how to optimise existing tools and how they are deployed and configured; identify and develop new technologies, as required, to support improved health outcomes.
"It is expected that improved uptake of digital health technologies within remote Indigenous communities will save patient time, lead to better models of care delivery and improve patient outcomes," said DHCRC Research Director Dr Clare Morgan.
"Over time, through improved primary health care, we expect this project to reduce the demand on acute care," she added.
Moreover, the project is also important in "determining how digital health can improve access and equity for disadvantaged groups in Australia and avoid contributing to a new digital divide," according to University of Sydney professor Tim Shaw.
Additionally, health economic analysis outputs from the study will inform the national policy and strategy of the DHAC while Healthdirect intends to use the early findings from the project to optimise culturally safe and appropriate service workflows that can be implemented, particularly in video-based consultations.
THE LARGER TREND
NT Health is also leading a DHCRC project, together with the University of South Australia, to develop a clinical decision support tool to enable more accurate medicine prescriptions. It is targeted to benefit patients with renal function problems, especially senior citizens and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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As I read this I really wondered just what was the state of any real connectivity in the target communities and even more basic what was the access to adequate housing, clean water and decent food.
I sure hope the chosen locations already have decent phone and basic internet services that are affordable before moving forward!
I just have a feeling some of the basics may not be in place for this to be successful in the foreseeable future – or am I too pessimistic?
David.
3 comments:
I wonder how this initiative in remote communities will manage given some of the problems experienced in rural locations.
A Fair Work ruling aimed at delivering better conditions for home care workers means Maggie could lose her independence
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-19/fair-work-commission-home-care-worker-ruling-consequences/101350054
How will Digital Health and virtual care help people who need real care?
Once again it appears to be a technology solution looking for a problem.
Mobiles are commonplace in Indigenous communities and developing nations. Also, the community and extended family connections that are meaningful in some cultures mean that they commonly communicate and receive information often via phones and social media. So digital technology can be a powerful way to provide health information and care. So there is much that can be done. Meanwhile, doing nothing would literally achieve nothing.
@August 19, 2022 8:34 PM
So, are you saying that mobile phones and Facebook are Digital Health?
If so, the Digital Health is really circling the drain.
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