Australia - Digital Economy - E-Health - Overview, Stats and Analysis

Synopsis

E-health is becoming an area where key killer applications that utilise truly high-speed broadband networks emerge. The Australian Government is a leader in strategic trans-sector thinking, linking e-health developments to the National Broadband Network. Early diagnosis and after-treatment patient monitoring are two areas where significant synergies may be found using applications provided to users at home.

As the financing of the public health systems in Australia becomes increasingly costly, an opportunity exists to lower costs through more effective use of web services for healthcare consumers. With widely available and cost effective high-speed broadband infrastructure, e-health is enabling customers to benefit from advances in medical technology and medical services.

While broader economic conditions in Australia remain subdued, spending on e-health solutions is likely to continue.

In this report we provide an overview of e-health mixed with analysis, industry statistics and benefits that e-health will be able to deliver with the correct infrastructure mix of developments including the NBN rollout across Australia. For information on e-health, projects, pilots and initiatives, see separate report: Australia - Digital Economy - E-Health - Initiatives, Pilots and Projects.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. E-health in the context of BuddeComm research
• 3. Introduction e-health
  • 3.1 Definitions, overview, challenges
  • 3.2 Healthcare challenges
    • 3.2.1 The healthcare system
    • 3.2.2 Challenges in aged e-health
  • 3.3 E-health: start with the professionals
• 4. E-health and the NBN
  • 4.1 The NBN and healthcare – depending on each other
  • 4.2 Health video consultancy covered by Medicare
  • 4.3 Broadband supported ICT key to e-health
  • 4.4 Strategic trans-sector thinking
  • 4.5 Broadband-based healthcare solutions
  • 4.6 Large financial benefits
  • 4.7 Transport saving
  • 4.8 Market led by an enabling government
  • 4.9 From pilots and project to national implementation
  • 4.10 NBN health care aims
• 5. Healthcare – next sector on the block for e-transformation
• 6. Digital economy benefits
  • 6.1 Healthcare is a key driver
  • 6.2 This is how to stimulate e-health uptake
  • 6.3 Accessing e-health records using a single sign-on
• 7. The national health reform
  • 7.1 Introduction
  • 7.2 National E-Health Transition Authority
    • 7.2.1 Overview
    • 7.2.2 National Authentication Service for e-health (NASH)
  • 7.3 National Broadband Network will play a key role
  • 7.4 Healthcare to pay off National Broadband Network
  • 7.5 Breaking down silo system through leadership
  • 7.6 E-health identifiers
    • 7.6.1 Healthcare Identi?ers Bill 2010
    • 7.6.2 GP networks starting to use the identifier
• 8. Optimising e-health
  • 8.1 Critical e-health assessment from Booz & Company
  • 8.2 Key conclusions
• 9. E-health – key to the success of NBN – analysis
  • 9.1 Support collaborative services concept
  • 9.2 Patients will have a central role
  • 9.3 Intelligent personalised e-health
  • 9.4 Accountability and transparency
  • 9.5 Quality and capacity of the NBN
  • 9.6 Business opportunities for e-hospitals
• 10. E-health (separate report – projects, pilots and initiatives)
• 11. E-health (separate report on global developments)
• 12. Related reports

• Table 1 – Percentage of GDP and government spend on aged care – 2001; 2008 - 2010; 2040; 2050

• Chart 1 – Overview of GDP spent on aged care versus government spend – 2001; 2008 - 2010; 2040; 2050

• Exhibit 1 – Costs of e-health plan
• Exhibit 2 – Funding for e-records