Digital Health

Digital health is an enabler of primary healthcare, as we use data and technology to assist us in improving and providing a more coordinated approach. It is streamlining our healthcare systems, improving patient care and communication, and ensuring better informed treatment decisions. It is also helping address inequity due to workforce shortages and long distances.

Our Priorities

• Enhancing access to health through telehealth for country clients and those who find it difficult to physically access primary healthcare services.
• Progressing towards meeting the National Digital Health Indicators, part of the PHN Program Performance and Quality Framework which PHNs are measured against, including the rates of:
• Healthcare providers informed by My Health Record
• Healthcare providers using specific digital health systems including smart forms, e-referrals and telehealth
• Accredited general practices sharing data with their PHN.
• Preparing general practices for Practice Incentives Program Quality Improvement (PIP QI), an Australian Government program that rewards practices for undertaking continuous quality improvement activities in partnership with their local PHN through the collection and review of practice data.

Key Achievements

• Reached a total of 500 localised Health Pathways and reviewed 105 more for this online information portal, including referral and management pathways on a range of conditions which enable clinicians to better navigate the healthcare system.
• Supported 99 general practices enrolled in our Comprehensive Primary Care program to help ensure patient care is co-ordinated, accessible and locally based where possible.
• Increased the number of general practices sharing data with us by 30%, assisting practices to evaluate their performance.
• Increased successful data extraction within practices by 35%, despite significant changes to the scheme implemented within a short timeframe.
• Met or exceeded all My Health Record targets set by the Australian Digital Health Agency. as part of a specific agreement for the initiative's rollout.
• Reached 100% of general practices and pharmacies, and over 1,200 allied health providers and 500 medical specialists to provide awareness and offers of training on My Health Record.
• Ran a state-wide community awareness campaign, including an innovative strategy to reach remote communities.
• 90.4% of Western Australians had a My Health Record at the end of the opt-out period, slightly above the national average.

Case Study

Data helps patients access all round care

An Australian first digital dashboard is making patient referrals more effective

Digital Health