09 April 2020

Message from the CEO Welcome to the first newsletter of the Institute. It is surreal to realise that it’s only been 6 weeks since we launched. How times flies, when a pandemic hits and everything you knew to be true pre-COVID-19 is challenged to deal with our current reality. While we are in the midst of so much change, the health sector keeps proving again and again how adaptable and innovative they are. I’m sure you’ve heard that old adage that ‘health is slow to change’, but the past few weeks proves that when it counts, you can count on the health sector to deliver high quality care, always! Many of you have been advocates for telehealth and virtual care for over a decade. There have been countless reports, conferences, papers and pilots over the years that spoke to telehealth’s immense value for clinicians, for citizens and for the health sector, and yet barriers remained. But that was our pre-COVID-19 world. Australia is now in week 2 of near universal access to telehealth, with #virtualfirst being an option that thousands of health professionals have adapted to overnight. The health sector has shown, again, a great ability to innovate and to do so quickly and at scale. I’m so pleased to be able to showcase some of that innovation and adaptability off to the world in our first global event ‘ From the Frontlines ’ . I also wanted to give the AIDH team a public shout out. Their adaptability, creativity, love for their work and passion for you, our members, are traits they’ve always had but 2020 has thrown them two big challenges – a) launch a new company with no extra staff or money to do so, and b) reinvent the way we bring the community together and our entire workplan for the year. They pulled off the first one and made it look easy and they repeatedly rise to the second challenge every single day. I couldn’t be prouder! Please say hello on the socials, share our stories with your colleagues, wash your hands and I hope you manage to find some pockets of rest during the Easter period. Dr Louise Schaper PhD, FAIDH, CHIA, BSc(OT)Hons

News

Institute open for business: We warmly welcomed the new Chair Michael Walsh, the Board and many local members, stakeholders and friends to the South Melbourne headquarters of the Institute on Monday 24 February to toast the launch of the new organisation. New members are welcome!  Those who you sign up to the Institute before 30 April will be acknowledged as a founding Fellow, Member or organisation . VIEW PHOTOS

MEDIA: Telehealth the game-changer : The rapid expansion in the use of telehealth due to the COVID-19 pandemic could transform healthcare in Australia in the longer-term, and many of the recent policy changes should be made permanent, Australasian Institute of Digital Health chief executive Dr Louise Schaper said. READ ARTICLE

Consultation closes on Digital Health Capability Framework for Nurses and Midwives: Over 250 nurses and midwives have taken part in open consultation over a capability framework to support them professionally in the digital workplace. Nurses and midwives were consulted on the specific digital health skills they need; what is practical and relevant for them as nurses and midwives; how a draft digital health capability framework could be used in hospitals and health services. Feedback is now being reviewed by the stakeholder organisations on the advisory committee and will be incorporated into the final Framework which is due for release in July 2020. The program is being undertaken by AIDH in collaboration with the Australian Digital Health Agency. STAY CONNECTED

CHIA+ New Membership package deal : Make 2020 the start of your best decade for career and professional advancement. Your professional experience, knowledge and skills could qualify you to become a  Certified Health Informatician Australasia (CHIA)  and a foundational Member of the  Australasian Institute of Digital Health .  For a limited time, until 30 April, we are offering a package price of $745 * to enter the CHIA program and automatically become a Member of the Institute.  FIND OUT HOW

Special CHIA offer to Fellows and Members: Apply to be a certified health informatician and save a further $150 off the usual member CHIA registration price (valid to 30 April). Use the discount code  150CHIA2020 . REGISTER NOW

Learn about clinical terminology and earn CPD points: The CHIA program together with SNOMED International have announced three SNOMED CT courses are now endorsed for continuing professional development (CPD) points and count towards CHIA recertification. READ MORE

Events

#ZoomBar the virtual hangout 3-4pm Thursday 16 April 2020 #ZoomBar is your connection to the world of digital health and each other. As champions of the digital health movement, your skills and experiences have never been more valuable than they are right now. We want to make sure you can share that knowledge and stay connected and engaged with each other. Each # ZoomBar will feature special guests (mixologists) who might not be able to mix your drink for you, but will shake and stir the conversation. REGISTER

Virtual care and telehealth to fight COVID-19 Friday 24 April 9am Live online From the Frontlines brings you first-hand accounts of virtual care and telehealth in action from those who are battling the pandemic crisis. Never in the history of modern medicine and healthcare has the health system needed to change so drastically, so quickly.  Keynote speakers from around the world, including India and France, join local doctors and nurses to talk about how they are harnessing ground-breaking technology to reveal new ways of delivering care. REGISTER

Digital Health Live! 5:30pm Wednesday 29 April (Zoom) This Digital Health Live event is hosted by AIDH Victoria branch. Hear from the experts from the comfort of your home! How has the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the ongoing cybersecurity challenges in healthcare and how can you fight back? REGISTER

Upcoming Events The Institute hosts dozens of events nationally each year. VIEW CALENDAR

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