Australians are seeing new ways technology is shaping healthcare. Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools are becoming common in GP offices and hospitals. Systems such as My Health Record now give patients faster access to test results. Doctors may use AI tools, called ambient scribes, to record and summarise consultations.
CSIRO’s Australian e-Health Research Centre (AEHRC) has been helping develop these systems for more than 20 years. Its work covers many areas, including hospital efficiency, personalised medicine, and standards for health data.
Better records are helping patients take a more active role in their care. AEHRC leads Sparked, Australia’s Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) accelerator. This provides rules and standards for health data. It allows information to move safely and clearly between hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers.
The centre manages Australia’s national health terminology service. Standardised medical terms make sure health information can be shared accurately. This supports safer and more connected care across the country.
Digital tools are also improving treatment for specific conditions. A new cardiovascular risk calculator helps doctors assess heart disease risk using data from patient records. A digital care model for gestational diabetes is replacing paper diaries in hospitals, showing early results just as effective as traditional care.
AEHRC research has supported approval of Alzheimer’s treatments. Imaging algorithms are being fast-tracked to identify patients who will benefit.
Hospital efficiency is improving through “digital twins” that simulate hospital and ambulance systems. These models allow decision-makers to reduce bottlenecks and improve patient care.
Digital technology in healthcare is giving Australians faster, safer, and more connected care. Patients spend less time waiting for results, and clinicians can focus on improving outcomes. The changes also create the potential for longer, healthier lives and better quality time with family.