The Australian Council of Senior Academic Leaders in Digital Health (ACSALDH) has unveiled a strategic action plan to address critical challenges facing Australia's healthcare system through digital innovation and workforce transformation.
Led by QDHeC Director and Chair of ACSALDH Professor Clair Sullivan and QDHeC’s Dr Lee Woods, the Council announced a two-pronged strategy aimed at tackling sustainability, access, and equity issues that currently plague the nation's healthcare sector. The initiative comes as growing patient demands strain existing resources while digital health technologies remain underutilised.
"Our current workforce capabilities are no longer fit for purpose," sad Professor Sullivan.
“By 2050, health workers will need to provide four times the current level of service to meet anticipated demand, and that will not be possible without harnessing digital capabilities.
“Our workforce needs to be progressively ‘retooled’ to be better equipped with digital competencies to navigate an increasingly technology-driven medical landscape.”
The Council's action plan focuses on two key areas: advancing research and innovation in digital health practices and transforming healthcare education to create a "future-fit" workforce. The first pillar involves advocating for increased funding, strategic partnerships, and adoption of evidence-based digital health solutions. The second emphasises embedding digital health capability standards into healthcare education and ensuring continuous professional development.
“There are critical limitations in storing and sharing health information for research, embracing emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and monitoring outcomes at scale,” she said.
“True progress in digital health requires dedicated funding for multidisciplinary digital health research and improved academic industry collaboration.”
The Council plans to promote academic collaboration both nationally and internationally to address these challenges, positioning Australia as a contributor to global health innovation while solving domestic healthcare issues.
“We [the Council] are committed to providing strategic leadership and collective action to foster digital health advancements,” said Professor Sullivan.
“In partnership with others, I believe we can address these key challenges to achieve more sustainable, equitable and high-quality health care for all Australians.”
