MTAA Releases Digital Health Report
The Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) has today released its ground-breaking report Digital Health: Breaking Barriers to Deliver Better Patient Outcomes.
Launched at MedInfo 2023 at the International Convention Centre, Sydney, the report has been received by the Chair, Dr Mike Freelander MP and Deputy Chair, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, on behalf of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport.
MTAA’s Digital Health: Breaking Barriers to Deliver Better Patient Outcomes aims to identify opportunities for digital health uptake and barriers that need to be overcome. It proposes practical policy solutions with an emphasis on current and emerging technologies.
MTAA CEO, Ian Burgess, said “MTAA is committed to ensuring all Australians have access to the health and wellbeing benefits delivered by digital technology. This health equity is the true value of digital health, facilitating evidence-based care for all, especially those in underserved and marginalised communities.”
The University of Newcastle was commissioned to undertake the research, which underpins the report’s 10 recommendations. The recommendations range from Health Data governance, Cybersecurity frameworks and Interoperability opportunities, to Regulatory and Reimbursement reforms.
“Unlocking the true potential of digital health will not be possible without access to the full range of medical technologies the industry has to offer,” Mr Burgess said.
Digital health has a central role to play in tackling Australia’s many healthcare challenges. Technologies including telehealth, electronic health records, wearable devices, mobile health applications and digital therapeutics are increasingly being embedded in the healthcare system. These provide an opportunity to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs by increasing the availability of relevant information, allowing better diagnosis, treatment and care.
