National Priorities in Accelerating Electronic Communications in the Health Sector
Over eighty leading professionals from peak health organisations, and associated professional, educational and consumer bodies convened for what became a day of lively discussion on e-health reform in Australia.
Co-hosted by NETHA and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, National Priorities in Accelerating Electronic Communications in the Health Sector was a significant step towards enhancing the collaboration needed to accelerate e-health and realise the safety and quality benefits that e-health will deliver.
Facilitator Julie McCrossin kept the day highly interactive with panel-led discussions and featured input from:
- Dr Ian Reinecke, CEO, National E-Health Transition Authority
- Dr Christine Jorm, Senior Medical Advisor, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
- Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, President, Australian Medical Association
- Dr Stephen Christley, President, Australian Healthcare Association
- Professor Jeffrey Braithwaite, Director, Centre for Clinical Governance Research, University of NSW
- Dr Gavin Frost, President, Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators
- Ms Rosemary Bryant, Executive Director, Royal College of Nursing, Australia and Commissioner, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
- Professor Peter Sprivulis, Project Lead, Benefits Realisation Study, National E-Health Transition Authority
- Dr Vasantha Preetham, President, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
- Mr Richard Eccles, First Assistant Secretary, Primary and Ambulatory Care Division, Department of Health and Ageing; and
- Mr Mitch Messer, Chair, Consumers' Health Forum and Ms Helen Hopkins Chief Executive, Consumers' Health Forum representing Dr Christopher Newell AM, Consumers' Health Forum Governing Committee Member and Commissioner, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
Whilst a diversity of views and opinions were represented, the discussions featured some significant recurring themes that will inform the NEHTA work program. These were:
- E-health is a collective responsibility and is not just a matter of IT
- Governance is critical
- Change management is a major factor in the effectiveness of e-health
- Engagement with synergies and partnerships is required
- Consumers are significant drivers to the clinical adoption of e-health.
National Priorities in Accelerating Electronic Communications in the Health Sector is part of NEHTA's ongoing program of stakeholder engagement.