Australia has been ranked as a world leader in a global academic study evaluating the eHealth frameworks of nine countries. Undertaken by Sweden’s Uppsala University, the study evaluated each countries’ eHealth vision, objectives, methods of implementation, and follow-up protocols.

It ranked Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy 2023–2028 number one alongside Estonia.

The Australian Digital Health Agency’s Chief Program Officer, Paul Creech PSM, said the researchers acknowledged that the strategy was comprehensively integrated with broader national health and digitalisation goals, and that it had “clearly identified objectives, timelines and responsible organisations”.

“Progress is already being demonstrated by a range of advances, including enhancements to the my health app improving access to and management of key health information for consumers, increased adoption by allied health, connecting the broader care team, and more recently the passage through the parliament of the ‘share by default’ legislation, that will help to ensure vital health information is available for healthcare professionals and Australian healthcare consumers when and where they need it.”

National eHealth strategies: a comparative study of nine OECD health systems1 found that Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy reflected a strong commitment to both innovation and evidence-based practice, ensuring that the implemented solutions are effective and scalable. Authors also noted that key strategic goals included patient involvement, preventive healthcare, telemedicine, information management, standards and consistent terminology use, and data analysis.

References available at mivision.com.au.