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E-health
There are considerable opportunities to apply e-commerce to the health sector in Australia. Online technologies can assist the sector to expand its reach, deepen its quality and usefulness, and improve the efficiency of delivery. NOIE is active in a variety of e-health projects.
Project Overview
The Commonwealth Government's 'Strategic Framework for the Information Economy', December 1998, identified that there were considerable opportunities to apply e-commerce to the health sector in Australia. Online technologies can assist the sector to expand its reach, deepen its quality and usefulness, and improve the efficiency of delivery. The health sector is also well placed to take advantage of export opportunities such as the delivery of online health education and telemedicine consultations.
The use of new and evolving information and communications technologies, provide a powerful tool to improve the delivery of health care and achieve better quality care and outcomes for individuals and communities. The health sector impacts on every Australian and accounts for 8.5 per cent of GDP.
The Commonwealth Government has provided significant impetus to enable the increased use of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in the industry. The health industry is well placed as a pervasive, information intensive sector to take full advantage of the efficiencies and effectiveness ICT products and services can offer the health industry in its adoption of e-commerce.
The Australia health industry is recognised internationally as being significantly advanced in its delivery of health care.
In November 1999, Health Online: A Health Information Action Plan for Australia (second edition September 2001) was released as a national action plan for the health care sector. Since its release by the National Health Information Management Advisory Council, there has been significant progress towards implementing this blue-print for using information in the health system and promoting new ways of delivering health services by harnessing the enormous potential of new and emerging ICT products and services.
ICT IN HEALTH FORUM
The Australian Government is working to improve the link between the IT industry and Commonwealth health agencies.
NOIE convened a successful forum on Thursday May 30, 2002 to improve dialogue between Commonwealth health agencies and Australian IT companies with health delivery expertise. Participating Commonwealth Government Agencies are the Department of Health and Ageing, the Health Insurance Commission and the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
The forum was organised to coincide with the AIIA Software Showcase/CEBIT Australia 2002. Opportunities existed to visit the showcase throughout the day. Presentations included topics such as an overview of the role of broadband in health and the development of clinical information systems.
Publications, speeches, media releases
- $50million for Regional Hi-Tech Health and Education and other ICT Initiatives - Oct 2001
- Health & Industry Collaboration - the PECC Story - 11 May 2000
- From Telehealth to E-Health: The Unstoppable Rise of E-Health - Sept 1999
Contact details
Mr Ashley Cross
General Manager
Business Environment Branch
National Office for the Information Economy
Ph. [+61] 02 6271 1229
Fax: [+61] 02 6271 1098
Other links
- 'Health Online' A Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care Initiative
- National Communications Fund
- Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (AEEMA)
- Collaborative Health Informatics Centre (CHIC)
- Australian Information Industries Association (AIIA)
- Health Insurance Commission (HIC)
- Department of Health and Aged Care
- Department of Veterans Affairs