Author: Isabelle Mansour - AAHP Secretary and Committee Member

The Healthcare system nationally and globally is challenged by multiple issues from rising costs, workforce shortages, health disparities pandemics and natural disasters to name a few. A study published in the ‘Medical Journal of Australia’; in July 2024 shows that containing hospital costs by limiting bed availability and reducing the length of stay using new models of care may no longer be a viable strategy.

The research found that the burden of Australia’s ageing population and the prevalence of comorbidities will continue to push increased demand on healthcare systems. For the first time in history, there are more people aged 65 years and over than there are aged under 5 years.

Add to it, Australia’s vast geography makes healthcare access a persistent challenge, particularly for rural and remote communities. Yet, our current funding models still disproportionately favour the delivery of bricks and mortars, leaving many regions underserved.

Building more physical beds doesn’t seem to alleviate solely the increased pressure on the healthcare system. As with more physical hospital beds comes further pressure on the

workforce, more impact on the environment without necessarily solving the issue of healthcare equity and access block. Digital health has the potential to play a pivotal role in emerging models of care, but its impact depends on effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.  There is a need to start identifying other strategies that will help ease pressure on the acute care sector.

While digital health has the potential to bridge this gap, it remains inefficiently implemented - not because of a lack of technology, but because we lack the right models of care to integrate it effectively.

The Misconception: Digital Health is Just About Convenience

Many assume that digital healthcare is simply about making access more convenient. But in reality, it’s about improving efficiency, equity, and patient outcomes.

The Challenge: Silos & Slow Collaboration

Despite the potential, Australia’s fragmented healthcare system is slowing progress. Health services remain siloed, and state and commonwealth systems struggle to collaborate on sustainable, scalable models of care. Meanwhile, international examples show that integrated digital healthcare models can work when designed with the right incentives and structures.

What’s Holding Us Back?

We have the technology. We have global case studies proving success. Yet, digital transformation in Australian healthcare is lagging. Is it funding? Policy inertia? Resistance to change? A lack of coordination?