UPDATE: A new report from Flinders University reveals that rural aged care in Australia urgently requires enhanced support for digital health technologies to bridge the growing divide in healthcare access. The scoping review, published in the International Journal of Medical Informatics, highlights critical barriers faced by aged-care services in regional areas, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
The study analyzed 48 Australian studies and found that while digital health offers potential cost savings and improved patient care, rural facilities struggle with connectivity issues, inadequate training, and lack of leadership support. Dr. Naser Pourazad, the first author, stated, “Digital health isn’t a luxury; it’s essential infrastructure for equity, safety, and sustainability.”
As Australia’s aged care system grapples with soaring costs and workforce shortages, the inability to implement digital solutions threatens the well-being of older adults. Dr. Peivand Bastani noted, “The digital divide will keep growing if rural communities cannot access time and money-saving tools.”
Current challenges include the limited availability of technologies such as telehealth, virtual consultations, and remote monitoring. These tools are crucial for tracking health changes in real-time, reducing unnecessary hospital transfers, and enhancing connectivity to care.
Dr. Madhan Balasubramanian emphasized, “Telehealth keeps older adults connected to care, both in residential and home environments.” The report calls for immediate action from aged-care providers to adopt these technologies to ensure safer and more efficient care.
With an urgent demand for reform, stakeholders are urged to prioritize digital health initiatives to support rural aged care. The situation is critical, and the time for action is now.
For more information, refer to the study by Naser Pourazad et al. titled “Lived experiences of health professionals using digital health in Australian aged care.” This pressing issue affects not only the current state of aged care but also the future of healthcare access in rural Australia.
Readers are encouraged to share this vital information as the situation develops.
