In a significant move towards revolutionizing healthcare, the government of Western Australia has allocated nearly a million Australian dollars ($590,000) to fund projects exploring the application of generative AI. This forward-looking initiative aims to address various challenges in health and medical domains, including research, innovation, service delivery, and education. Among the 19 selected projects, two stand out with their focus on utilizing generative AI for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and ear conditions, showcasing the immense potential of this technology.
Stephen Dawson, WA Medical Research Minister, acknowledges the uncertainties and risks associated with generative AI but emphasizes its transformative potential. He anticipates that this technology could enhance efficiency, elevate the quality of care, and generate substantial value for healthcare organizations.
Meanwhile, Queensland University is poised to overhaul its outpatient clinics and teaching clinic settings by replacing outdated legacy systems. Clintel Systems has been entrusted with deploying CareRight, an integrated solution encompassing Patient Administration Systems (PAS), Electronic Medical Records (EMR), and Billing and Claiming. This deployment, initially set for three clinics and five disciplines, is slated to accommodate up to 1,200 users.
In a groundbreaking development, Flinders University has launched Australia’s inaugural online registry for perimenopause and menopause. Dubbed VITAL (Virtual Registry of Perimenopause in Australia), this registry seeks to assess the actual impact of perimenopause and menopause by collecting community data. The information gathered will be instrumental in identifying trends and advancing research and education concerning women’s health.
Associate Professor Erin Morton, Director of Flinders’ Health Data & Clinical Trials unit, underscores the urgency of addressing the lack of awareness and support for perimenopause. She notes that this vital phase of a woman’s life often suffers from neglect, stigma, and misinformation, particularly concerning hormone replacement therapy.
In another study, it was revealed that teleaudiology services experienced poor uptake during the recent COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, despite a willingness among people to access them. The research, involving over 300 participants, found that only 7% of patients opted for teleaudiology appointments, even though the majority were aware of the technology. Boaz Mui, lead author and PhD student at Flinders University, suggests a concerted effort to increase awareness and foster collaboration among stakeholders to enhance the acceptance and utilization of teleaudiology.
Mater Private Hospital Townsville is set to transform the post-operative experience for patients with the introduction of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols. These digitally enabled pathways, powered by Personify Care, provide patients with comprehensive information on what to expect before, during, and after select surgical procedures. The protocols are expected to lead to a reduction in hospital stays for orthopaedic patients, according to Stephanie Barwick, the hospital’s General Manager.
Finally, NSW Health and Epic have solidified their partnership by formalizing the contract for the Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR) project. This ambitious endeavor aims to integrate all digital systems across New South Wales, including EMR platforms, PAS, pathology LIMS, and various clinical support systems. The design and construction phase of the SDPR is now underway, marking a significant milestone towards a seamlessly connected healthcare system in the state.
