Redefining healthcare delivery: The overhaul of Australia’s health system in the age of technology

MedTech & Diagnostics News: In an era of critical workforce shortages and mounting financial challenges within the healthcare sector, industry leaders are urgently seeking innovative ways to deliver patient care more effectively. In partnership with The University of Queensland (UQ), Philips launched the 2023 Philips Future Health Index report, providing critical insights into the future of healthcare delivery in Australia.

Matt Moran, Managing Director for Philips in Australia and New Zealand, summarised the key findings of the report at the launch event last night.

The report unveiled a shared vision for a digital health revolution where artificial intelligence (AI), virtual care, cloud technology, and other digital innovations empower staff and patients alike, bringing care closer to the patient when and where it matters most.

At the heart of this vision lies the urgent need to tackle the pressing issue of workforce shortages in the industry. Healthcare leaders have recognised the importance of streamlining processes for improved efficiencies while partnering with organisations to reduce the impact of staffing gaps. Younger healthcare professionals, keen to embrace new digital technologies, see this innovation as a pivotal factor when choosing where to work.

Both healthcare leaders and younger professionals are united in their vision for a more accessible healthcare system that meets patients where they are. Virtual care is on the rise, expanding intensive and critical care beyond hospital walls. Additionally, they desire the growth of ambulatory and community-based care services to improve patient access and health outcomes.

“Around half of the healthcare leaders say virtual care is the technology that has had or will have the biggest impact on improving healthcare,” Mr Moran shared.

Leaders are teaming up across the healthcare ecosystem to overcome technological barriers, break data silos, and deliver more integrated care. Partnerships are seen as crucial for cost-effective care and better patient outcomes. Environmental sustainability in healthcare is also a top-of-mind concern, especially among eco-conscious younger healthcare professionals.

“Building partnerships outside of their healthcare system was selected by nearly all of healthcare professionals as a critical activity to improve health outcomes going forward. To deliver integrated care across a wider range of settings, healthcare professionals need to be able to share and interpret data in a meaningful way. That’s why they see continuing to partner with health technology companies an important activity,” Mr Moran added.

One of the most significant aspects of digital transformation revolves around the integration of AI in healthcare. However, the report highlighted a concerning gap between Australia and its global peers in terms of investing in AI. While younger healthcare professionals showed enthusiasm for AI’s potential in clinical decision support, data analysis, and workflow optimisation, less than half (44%) of Australian leaders were currently investing in AI, with two-thirds planning to do so in the next three years.

Highlighting the need for systemic reform, Dr Steve Hambleton, a General Practitioner and former State and Federal President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), urged a collective effort to address the complexities of the healthcare system during the panel discussion. He emphasised the importance of trust in AI systems and how their integration could revolutionise patient care.

“We’re not going to trust those [AI systems] to look at our health data, at the moment. But if we could, and they looked at validated data sets, it’s going to make a big difference,” said Dr Hambleton.

Jayne Barclay, Director of Digital Health & Informatics at Mater, highlighted the potential of AI and machine learning in data analysis and decision support. However, she also highlighted the need for validated data and trust in AI systems.

Dr Rolf Gomes, an engineer turned cardiologist and the visionary behind Heart of Australia, shared his experiences in bridging the gap in regional healthcare. Heart of Australia has transformed into an engagement platform, allowing specialists to deliver healthcare services in remote areas. He emphasised the need to provide basic services to remote communities, ensuring that they are not left behind in the face of rapid medical advancements.

Dr Hambleton called for a re-evaluation of the healthcare system to ensure equitable distribution of healthcare resources. He urged the use of AI to help manage patient care and allocate resources more effectively.

“How do we use technology to provide sophistication into how we manage patients? How do we get that real-time monitoring in health and integrate it into a more sophisticated and efficient health system?” Dr Hambleton questioned.

Ms Barclay touched upon the importance of localised solutions and the potential for technology to extend specialist services to remote locations. She explained how Mater established a remote neonatology service that allows regional teams to virtually connect with the central team in Brisbane, extending healthcare capabilities to underserved areas.

“I think we’re going to see a lot more partnerships and melding of those types of business models and technologies to really extend those services,” she added.

Addressing the issue of digital health transformation on an international scale, Dr Hambleton drew comparisons between Australia and other countries. He acknowledged that while Australia may be behind in terms of AI investments, the potential for enterprise-level AI models with restricted data sharing could foster greater trust among clinicians.

As the panel discussion concluded, there was a sense of optimism regarding the future of healthcare in Australia. The convergence of innovative digital technologies, AI, and partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem presents a unique opportunity to revolutionise patient care and bridge the gap in the inequities of healthcare delivery.

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