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The traditional break–fix model of healthcare, characterised by reactive interventions after the onset of diseases, is undergoing a significant transformation globally, including in Australia. This is occurring at the same time that revolutionary technologies such as artificial intelligence and precision prevention of disease are emerging. This article explores the imperative to transition from our current break–fix model of health care towards a predict–prevent model, emphasising proactive healthcare strategies underpinned by technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives With an increasing focus on the digitalization of health and care settings, there is significant scope to learn from international approaches to promote concerted adoption of electronic health records. Materials and methods We review three large-scale initiatives from Australia, Canada, and England, and extract common lessons for future health and social care transformation strategy. Results We discuss how, despite differences in contexts, concerted adoption enables sharing of experience and learning to streamline the digital transformation of health and care. Discussion and conclusion Concerted adoption can be accelerated through building communities of expertise and partnerships promoting knowledge transfer and circulation of expertise; commonalities in geographical and cultural contexts; and commonalities in technological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital health technologies are a proposed solution to improve healthcare delivery and reduce pressures on the healthcare system, but these technologies are new to much of the health workforce. This perspective paper highlights lessons learned from the global experience of rapid digital transformation of health workforces, including fostering a culture of learning, ensuring accreditation and recognition, and adopting a transdisciplinary approach. Evidence-based actions are proposed to address recommendations to (i) ensure foundational workforce digital health capability and (2) build specialist digital health career pathways. Australia must take a national approach and strategically leverage strong collaborations across sectors including healthcare, education and government to ensure a consistent, regulated and sustainable digital workforce capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As health care continues to change and evolve in a digital society, there is an escalating need for physicians who are skilled and enabled to deliver care using digital health technologies, while remaining able to successfully broker the triadic relationship among patients, computers and themselves. The focus needs to remain firmly on how technology can be leveraged and used to support good medical practice and quality health care, particularly around resolution of longstanding challenges in health care delivery, including equitable access in rural and remote areas, closing the gap on health outcomes and experiences for First Nations peoples and better support in aged care and those living with chronic disease and disability. We propose a set of requisite digital health competencies and recommend that the acquisition and evaluation of these competencies become embedded in physician training curricula and continuing professional development programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Technology; Chronic disease; Prevention and control; Datasets as topic EN Technology Chronic disease Prevention and control Datasets as topic 384 388 5 05/17/23 20230515 NES 230515 Smartwatches can count every step towards a predict-prevent health care system, but clinical regulation is the first leap Australia is struggling with the ever-increasing burden of chronic disease. As health care professionals, we can further our understanding of smartwatch use in chronic disease through further research using real world data - with the ultimate goal of improving autonomy and health outcomes for consumers. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Traditional face-to-face family member visits in the intensive care unit (ICU) are challenged during the coronavirus disease pandemic with time-critical visiting of the ICU patient being impossible. Objective: This study aimed to explore reported experiences and satisfaction surrounding the use of technology for virtual visits and virtual family meetings in the ICU setting. Two groups were surveyed: (1) family members of critically ill patients in the ICU and (2) health care workers caring for these patients. Design: The study, conducted in the 36-bed ICU of a speciality metropolitan acute care facility in Australia, used a pragmatic post-test survey design. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results: Of health care worker subjects, 106 completed the survey and the majority of communication episodes favored virtual visits (79.2%, n = 84). Of family member subjects, 69 completed the survey, with the majority participating in virtual family meetings (40.6%, n = 28). Both groups indicated satisfaction with virtual communication. Conclusions: We found virtual communication was positively received. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: eHealth; Information management; Health financing; Health services research EN eHealth Information management Health financing Health services research 53 57 5 02/07/23 20230201 NES 230201 Focusing solely on financial measures is unlikely to deliver a comprehensive view of the value of digital health Digital health, which refers to the use of digital technology to provide and support health care services, promises to strengthen health systems worldwide and has been accelerated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.[1] Amid the rapid digital transformation of health care,[[2]] the value of sizeable digital health investments remains unclear.[[3]] The investments required for digital health are often substantial and may come at a cost to existing health care delivery models. Conclusion Health care organisations are currently not measuring the true value of digital health implementations and, thus, digital investment may not be prioritised given the competing health care demands. With the burden on the health care system to continue service delivery with static resourcing, an ageing population and growing health inequities, digital health provides an unrivalled opportunity to improve care at scale. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: In Australia, the available published literature demonstrated a spike in dispensed prescription medicines after the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic that subsequently returned to expected levels. Smoking cessation medicines may not follow this pattern because quit attempts are influenced by a range of factors. Knowledge of whether dispensing of these medicines has changed since the pandemic is lacking. We explored the change in dispensing of publicly subsidised smoking cessation medicines since the pandemic. Methods: Australia's universal health‐care system provides access to government‐subsidised medicines via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and records of dispensed medicines are publicly available on a nationally aggregated level. We retrieved Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data from January 2016 to January 2021. We used interrupted time series modelling to quantify the impact of COVID‐19 on dispensing of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patches, varenicline and all smoking cessation treatments combined separately. Results: After an initial spike in medicines at the onset of the pandemic, the monthly rate of prescriptions dispensed for varenicline was predominantly within predicted ranges, while that of NRT patches was predominantly below predicted ranges. Discussion and Conclusions: There has been a differential change in the number of subsidised smoking cessation medicines supplied in Australia since the COVID‐19 pandemic, with varenicline prescriptions largely within, and NRT patches largely lower than, expected ranges. The reasons for the apparent change in dispensing of subsidised smoking cessation medicines are unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and the need for a thoughtful and inclusive approach to this data-driven revolution. The authors highlight the importance of amplifying the voices of people who receive healthcare and ensuring that they have control over their personal data. The article presents the findings of a citizens' jury, which recommended an independent national charter for AI in health and emphasized the importance of rigorous evaluation, fairness, patient rights, and community involvement. The authors conclude that while the advent of AI in healthcare is inevitable, it should be accompanied by robust governance and privacy measures, guided by the principle of "nothing about me without me." [Extracted from the article]

Background and objective: An epidemic of silicosis has emerged due to a failure to control risks associated with exposure to high‐silica content respirable dust generated while working with artificial stone products. Methods for quantification of alveolar crystal burden are needed to advance our understanding of the pathobiology of silica‐related lung injury as well as assisting in the diagnosis, clinical management and prognostication of affected workers. The objective of this study was to develop and validate novel methods to quantify alveolar crystal burden in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from patients with artificial stone silicosis. Methods: New methods to quantify and analyse alveolar crystal in BAL from patients with artificial stone silicosis were developed. Crystals were isolated and counted by microscopy and alveolar crystal burden was calculated using a standard curve generated by titration of respirable α‐Quartz. The utility of the assay was then assessed in 23 patients with artificial stone silicosis. Results: Alveolar crystal burden was greater in patients with silicosis (0.44 picograms [pg]/cell [0.08–3.49]) compared to patients with other respiratory diagnoses (0.057 pg/cell [0.01–0.34]; p < 0.001). Alveolar crystal burden was positively correlated with years of silica exposure (ρ = 0.49, p = 0.02) and with decline in diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (ρ = −0.50, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Alveolar crystal burden quantification differentiates patients with silicosis from patients with other respiratory disorders. Furthermore, crystal burden is correlated with the rate of decline in lung function in patients with artificial stone silicosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital disruption and transformation of health care is occurring rapidly. Concurrently, a global syndemic of preventable chronic disease is crippling healthcare systems and accelerating the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare investment is paradoxical; it prioritises disease treatment over prevention. This is an inefficient break--fix model versus a person-centred predict--prevent model. It is easy to reward and invest in acute health systems because activity is easily measured and therefore funded. Social, environmental and behavioural health determinants explain,70% of health variance; yet, we cannot measure these community data contemporaneously or at population scale. The dawn of digital health and the digital citizen can initiate a precision prevention era, where consumer-centred, real-time data enables a new ability to count and fund population health, making disease prevention 'matter'. Then, precision decision making, intervention and policy to target preventable chronic disease (e.g. obesity) can be realised. We argue for, identify barriers to, and propose three horizons for digital health transformation of population health towards precision prevention of chronic disease, demonstrating childhood obesity as a use case. Clinicians, researchers and policymakers can commence strategic planning and investment for precision prevention of chronic disease to advance a mature, valuebased model that will ensure healthcare sustainability in Australia and globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Digital health in hospital settings is viewed as a panacea for achieving the “quadruple aim” of health care, yet the outcomes have been largely inconclusive. To optimize digital health outcomes, a strategic approach is necessary, requiring digital maturity assessments. However, current approaches to assessing digital maturity have been largely insufficient, with uncertainty surrounding the dimensions to assess. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the current dimensions used to assess the digital maturity of hospitals. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted of peer-reviewed literature (published before December 2020) investigating maturity models used to assess the digital maturity of hospitals. A total of 29 relevant articles were retrieved, representing 27 distinct maturity models. The articles were inductively analyzed, and the maturity model dimensions were extracted and consolidated into a maturity model framework. Results: The consolidated maturity model framework consisted of 7 dimensions: strategy; information technology capability; interoperability; governance and management; patient-centered care; people, skills, and behavior; and data analytics. These 7 dimensions can be evaluated based on 24 respective indicators. Conclusions: The maturity model framework developed for this study can be used to assess digital maturity and identify areas for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The aim of this study was to examine patient perceptions regarding vascular access quality measurement. Methods. A web-based, cross-sectional survey was performed using a convenience sample of healthcare consumers with vascular access experience, recruited from September 2019 to June 2020. Survey respondents were asked to rate the perceived importance of 50 vascular access data items, including patient demographics, clinical and device characteristics, and insertion, management and complication data. Data were ranked using a five-point Likert scale (1, least important; 5, most important), and are reported as median values. Respondents proposed additional items and explored broader perspectives using free-text responses, which were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results. In all, 68 consumers completed the survey. Participants were primarily female (82%), aged 40-49 years (29%) and living in Australia or New Zealand (84%). All respondents indicated that measuring the quality of vascular access care was important. Of the 50 items, 37 (74%) were perceived as 'most important' (median score 5), with measures of quality (i.e. outcomes and complications) rated highly (e.g. thrombosis and primary blood stream infection). Participants proposed 16 additional items. 'Gender' received the lowest perceived importance score (median score 3). Two themes emerged from the qualitative analysis of broader perspectives: (1) measurement of vascular access device complication severity and associated factors; and (2) patient experience. Conclusion. Measuring vascular access quality and safety is important to consumers. Outcome and complication measures were rated 'most important', with respondents identifying a need for increased monitoring of their overall vascular access journey through the health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful implementation of digital health programs is imperative as it is becoming increasingly clear that digital solutions will underpin modern health care. These projects are often supported by large budgets and if not implemented successfully, the quality, safety, and efficiency of patient care may be compromised. Failure rates for the implementation of large, complex healthcare software platforms in digital health programs have been persistently high. Although several factors may contribute to the failure of such projects, the majority have been reported to fail largely due to poor project management. Nevertheless, little is known about the optimal project management approaches for digital health projects, with many health services reliant on external advisory companies and contractors for advice. Although publication bias makes it difficult to reliably study and understand global trends for the failure of digital health projects, examination of media reports and published literature indicates that this is a global phenomenon affecting digital health projects in North America, Europe and Australasia. In this article, our aim is to examine the literature for evidence underpinning current project management approaches used when implementing commercial, off-the-shelf healthcare information technology solutions, including complex healthcare software in large digital health programs in hospitals or across health systems, and evaluate the suitability of current project management approaches to deliver these projects. This starts to build an important evidence base for hospitals and health services considering digital transformation projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital transformation of Australian hospitals is occurring rapidly. Although the clinical community has had limited ability to influence high-level decision making and investments into digital health technologies, as these technologies increasingly transform the way patients are cared for, the clinical community must influence the digital health agenda and be an integral part of the decision-making process. This case study details the process and lessons learnt during the development of the state-wide consensus statement detailing the clinical requirements for digital health initiatives to form the Queensland Digital Health Clinical Charter. To the best of our knowledge, Queensland is the first Australian jurisdiction to create a Digital Clinical Charter to be specifically referenced in the investment in and governance of digital health in hospitals. By developing this clinical charter for digital health, and in articulating the needs of clinicians, a clinical framework will be added to both the decision-making process around the investments in digital health and the definition and realisation of the expected benefits from these sizable investments. What is known about the topic?: Digital transformation of healthcare is occurring rapidly. The clinical community has had limited ability to influence high-level decision making and investments into these digital health technologies. Tension currently exists between the clinical community who must use the new digital technologies and the technical groups that govern the introduction of the new technologies. This tension can be manifest as clinicians refusing to adopt new systems, safety concerns and an inability to reach consensus on direction. There are few peer reviewed publications addressing this tension between the clinical community and technical providers. What does this paper add?: This paper is the first attempt to create a list of clinical requirements for digital transformation that crosses professional streams and is endorsed by the state-wide executive leadership team to inform the acquisition and governance of digital health technologies. What are the implications for practitioners?: Clinicians can feel excluded and marginalised during the decision-making process for new digital technologies, despite the fact that they are often using these technologies to deliver hands-on care to patients. This charter clearly articulates the requirements of clinicians for digital transformation and has been endorsed by the executive leadership team of Queensland Health. The charter adds a clinical framework to be referenced during the decision-making process around the investments in digital health, and the definition and realisation of the expected benefits from these sizable investments. As the digital landscape in public hospitals evolves, clinicians are becoming increasingly reliant upon digital technologies. It is critical that clinicians have a strong effect on technology acquisition and governance to maximise the quality and efficiency of the care they provide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the focus of clinicians and government shifts from speciality-based care to system-based key performance indicators such as the National Emergency Access Target (NEAT) or the 4-h rule, integration between emergency department (ED) and inpatient clinical workflows and information systems is becoming increasingly necessary. Such system measures drive the implementation of integrated electronic medical records (ieMR) to digitally integrate these workflows. The objective of this case study was to describe the impact of digital transformation of the ED–in-patient interface (EDii) of a large tertiary hospital on process measures and clinical outcomes for patients requiring emergency admission to hospital. Data were collected from routine clinical and administrative information systems to measure process and clinical outcome measures, including ED length of stay, compliance with the 4-h rule and in-patient mortality between 28 November 2014 and 28 February 2017. The 4-h rule compliance for all patients, as well as for the EDii group (admitted to hospital excluding short stay ward), declined after digitisation. There were 55 fewer deaths in the postintervention group (15% relative reduction; P = 0.02) and a 10% relative reduction in adjusted mortality as measured by the Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio for emergency patients (eHSMR), which did not reach statistical significance. Digital deceleration in ED performance did occur with an ieMR rollout, but worsening of key patient outcomes was not observed. What is known about this topic?: Much has been written about the introduction of electronic medical records (EMRs) in emergency departments. This work sits alongside a substantial body of evidence outlining the relationship between process measures of ED performance and important patient outcomes. However, much less is known about the impact of digital transformation on the complex adaptive system that is the EDii and the impact of digitisation on the vulnerable group of patients who require emergency admission to hospital. What does this paper add?: The objective of this case study was to describe the effect of a rapid rollout of an integrated EMR. This EMR simultaneously transformed care delivery both in the ED and the inpatient space and impacted on the politically and clinically sensitive performance and outcome measures of the EDii in a large tertiary hospital. The present study is the first that specifically examined the effect of digitisation at the EDii. What are the implications for practitioners?: The understanding that digital deceleration will occur, but that with good patient outcome monitoring worsening of key patient outcomes is not likely to occur, now holds a key place in digital transformation planning. The measures of the EDii examined in this case study provide a foundation for this montoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigated evidence for the approach known as 'benefits management' (BM) used in many digital hospital initiatives. Methods: A qualitative narrative overview was conducted on the BM literature and compared with a qualitative systematic overview of electronic medical record (EMR) implementation literature. Results: Twenty-five articles on BM and 12 literature reviews on EMR implementation were examined. The BM approach does not have strong support in the literature and does not support all the needs of large EMR implementations. Conclusion: The current BM approach provides an inadequate basis for managing and reporting on the outcomes that ensue from a digital hospital initiative. A shift is needed from benefits idealisation to value optimisation. What is known about the topic?: Health services are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that the benefits anticipated from digital health investments have been realised. What does this paper add?: This paper informs the practice of benefits governance in EMR implementations. The results reveal inadequacies in current BM models and practice that are currently enshrined in policy despite a lack of evidence. What are the implications for practitioners?: Health service leaders must be willing to question the governance of benefits from health service transformations using more evidence-based approaches to increase the value obtained from investments in digital transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study provides insights into the reported early impacts of the digital transformation of a large Australian hospital and healthcare service (HHS) by surveying staff perceptions of an integrated electronic medical record (ieMR). Methods: The information systems success model was used as a tool to evaluate perceptions of system quality, information quality, individual benefits and expected organisational benefits of the ieMR soon after its introduction at the HHS. A questionnaire was distributed to staff in all five hospitals in the HHS immediately after implementation. Overall staff perceptions were examined, in addition to how perceptions differed by site and profession. Results: Overall, staff held mildly positive early perceptions of system quality, information quality, individual benefits and expected organisational benefits. These views were largely consistent across sites. In terms of professions, allied health held more positive perceptions, followed by administrative and nursing professionals. Medical professionals held negative perceptions, but were neutral regarding their future expectations. Conclusion: On average, staff viewed the ieMR mildly positively immediately after implementation (despite significant changes to work practices), but differences exist across professional groups. What is known about the topic?: Hospitals globally are in the midst of a digital transformation. Yet, reported impacts are mixed and there have been few studies of the effects of comprehensive electronic medical record (EMR) implementations. What does this paper add?: This paper evaluates a comprehensive EMR immediately after go-live. We found positive early perceptions of system quality, information quality, individual benefits and expected organisational benefits. We also found that perceptions of medical professionals were largely negative, but they were neutral in terms of their future expectations. What are the implications for practitioners?: Health services may be unsure of the effect of implementing a comprehensive EMR because of conflicting reports in the literature, some touting major benefits, others stressing major costs. Our results paint a middle-ground picture immediately after implementation. Staff perceptions are mildly positive on average, which is reassuring given the results were obtained during the early disruptive period after implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]