AMA VICDOC Spring 2023 - Magazine - Page 53
Q: HOW DO YOU DEFINE DIGITAL HEALTH?
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A: There are many different aspects to
the digital health interface. Day to day,
doctors use some form of digital health.
We’re accessing information on a computer,
we're adding to patients’ electronic health
records, we’re onboarding patients to digital
systems. Patient booking systems are a form
of digital health that are a gateway through
which people in the community can access
healthcare. Digital health can build links
and systems between sectors in terms
of information, services and healthcare
providers. Then we've got digital health in
the form of the wearables that can track
our physical markers and health behaviours
prompts, transdermal patches and sensors,
and precision care according to your genetic
markers. Those are just some! There are so
many different aspects of digital health.
Q: WHY IS THE PROGRAM ESPECIALLY FOCUSED
ON WOMEN IN DIGITAL HEALTH?
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A: The Australasian Institute of Digital
Health undertook a joint research project
in the digital health space and found that
just as in the IT industry, there are fewer
women in the digital health space and even
fewer in leadership positions. That’s despite
the fact that women comprise around 70%
of the healthcare workforce. The program
is addressing that gap. It’s a great potential
leveller for the gender disparity that exists
in the industry. Another consideration is
that if we don't have women involved in
making decisions or supporting processes
or creating algorithms, then we're not going
to have a system that really represents the
community it’s meant to serve. So, it's not
just about addressing gender bias and gaps
from a workforce perspective, it’s also about
addressing the issue of misrepresentation and
inequitable healthcare delivery if the system
is not designed with the input of women.
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