Health Information and Technology (GEN 3

Over the last 20 years, there have been a number of attempts to lessen the fragmentation within the Australian health system with varied outcomes. As we move further into the technological age, some system boundaries are gradually shifting, but barriers continue to ensure that critical areas are not quite connected. As the backbone support organisation, CSAPHN, in partnership with other key players, will provide resources and expertise to enable collective initiatives to succeed, thus improving system integration and the patient journey.

Identified Need Key Issue Description of Evidence

Health Information and Process for roll out of ‘My Health Record’ impacts on ∙ Issue of concern in priority matrix Technology - outcome of knowledge and understanding of patient history and care. ∙ DoH eHealth statistics service needs analysis Continued use by GPs and use and uptake by the general ∙ Country SA PHN General Practice and Allied Health survey (April 2016) public is variable due to perceived security. Low uptake of telehealth. Electronic transfer of patient information between health providers is limited ∙ High proportion of general practices and allied health providers using fax to send referrals or clinical reports ∙ Only 46% of general practices and 22% of allied health providers are employing secure messaging software to send information ∙ Allied health providers are less likely than general practice to use electronic patient records (61% vs. 99%) General practices and allied health providers are less likely to communicate electronically with local hospitals and pharmacies.

Priority Health Information and

Technology (GEN – 3) opportunities, priorities and options

Possible Options

1. Support health service providers to adopt and actively use

My Health Record (MHR). ∙ Better coordinated care through use of shared electronic records. ∙ Increased patient knowledge of and management of health. ∙ CSAPHN

Expected Outcome Potential Lead

Priority

Health Information and Technology (GEN – 3)

opportunities, priorities and options - continued

Possible Options

2. Multi-party conferencing to enable activities such as case conferencing with health professionals in different locations including those within SA Health.

3. Work with communities, ACCHOs, general practice, the six regional Local Health Networks, metropolitan LHNs and the Rural Doctors Workforce Agency to identify needs for provision of specialist services via telehealth.

4. Work with and support GPs, Adelaide Primary Health

Network (APHN), the six regional LHNs and metro LHNs in the implementation of integrated systems.

Expected Outcome

∙ Improved communication, connection and integration between service providers. Patients will be able to access specialist and allied health consultations as close as possible to their place of residence.

∙ Improved coordination of diverse efforts to implement telehealth solutions, with a view to common platforms and resource sharing and promotion and or recruitment of specialists and others to the activity.

∙ As above with a particular focus to metropolitan and SA Health connections.

5. Delivery of secure telehealth services by private providers. ∙ Increased access to telehealth services.

6. Work with vendors in the investigation and implementation of technologies that will enable connections for health care in rural and remote regions whilst endeavouring not to penalise individuals and communities with prohibitive cost. ∙ Partnership occurs following the review of technological opportunities for better connectivity of remote and rural areas to services and data access.

Potential Lead

∙ CSAPHN facilitating and supporting GP led local initiatives

∙ CSAPHN partnership with

RDWA, AHCSA and the six regional LHNs

∙ CSAPHN initiative in partnership with APHN,

RDWA, AHCSA and the six regional LHNs

∙ CSAPHN facilitating and supporting GP and local service provider led local initiatives

∙ CSAPHN

7. Develop technological solutions (e.g. apps) to collect more accurate and timely feedback from consumers ∙ Platforms under development to provide better local resources and connectivity to community education and awareness of issues and services. ∙ CSAPHN

Priority

Health Information and Technology (GEN – 3)

opportunities, priorities and options - continued

Possible Options

8. Work with SA Health, the six regional LHNs, general practice, allied health and other stakeholders to develop and implement a secure messaging service to support electronic transfer of health information between providers including: ∙ GP care plans ∙ Care summaries ∙ Discharge plans ∙ HealthPathways program implementation ∙ Better health system integration and communication ∙ CSAPHN, SA Health, the six regional LHNs and APHN

Expected Outcome Potential Lead