Patients now demand active participation in their healthcare decisions, and modern technology makes this possible. With 58% of Australian healthcare stakeholders seeking seamless data exchange across all devices1, accessible health information at every stage is not only desired but also expected.
This article is part of a series examining how providers can align their digital investments to optimise care delivery and address the four key pillars of Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy: digitally enabled, person-centred, inclusive and data-driven healthcare.
Australia’s vision: Patients as active participants
Australia's National Digital Health Strategy2 has a strong focus on personalisation, envisioning that: Australians are empowered to look after their health and wellbeing, equipped with the right information and tools.
This vision recognises that when patients have access to their health information and appropriate digital tools, they become more engaged in their care and make better-informed decisions.
For healthcare and aged care providers, delivering person-centred care requires rethinking how information is shared, how consent is managed and how patients interact with their care teams. Digital solutions are crucial to this transformation, enabling patients to access and control their health information in new ways.
Further reading
Digitally enabled healthcare: Elevating care through connected, secure systems
Overcoming barriers to empowered patients
Healthcare organisations face several obstacles to delivering person-centred experiences:
Digital literacy gaps: While digital adoption is improving across Australia, digital literacy is lower among older Australians. This creates barriers for a significant portion of healthcare consumers, with aged care residents often facing the greatest challenges in accessing and using digital health tools.
Information accessibility: Despite initiatives like My Health Record, many patients continue to struggle to access comprehensive information about their health and treatment options in formats that are clear and easy to understand and use.
Consent management complexity: Healthcare providers must navigate complex consent requirements while ensuring patients can easily control who accesses their information – a delicate balance in today’s interconnected healthcare environment.
Experience inconsistency: Patients often encounter different interfaces, processes and information requirements across various healthcare settings, which creates confusion and frustration.
Digital tools that put patients first
Modern tools offer powerful ways to address these challenges and place patients at the centre:
- Patient portals and apps: User-friendly digital interfaces provide patients with secure access to their health information, facilitate appointment scheduling and enable communication with care teams.
- Consent management systems: Digital tools can help patients easily view and update their consent preferences, ensuring their information is shared according to their wishes while maintaining appropriate access for care providers.
- Digital health literacy programs: Supporting consumers to develop digital health skills is critical. Technology providers can contribute by designing intuitive interfaces and providing educational resources that enhance the user experience.
- The ‘tell us once’ principle: Solutions that integrate different care settings – from hospitals to aged care facilities – ensure patients don't need to provide the same information to providers repeatedly.
Digital care in action: Creating an Epilepsy Smart Australia
Organisations that prioritise person-centred digital approaches are seeing tangible benefits. The Epilepsy Foundation collaborated with Nexon to consolidate six state-based organisations onto one client management platform, establishing a national support network for people living with epilepsy.3
What’s next in the patient-centred future?
As digital health technology evolves, we can expect increasingly personalised and intuitive experiences. The integration of personal health devices, enhanced data visualisation and simplified consent mechanisms will further empower patients to actively participate.
For aged care residents in particular, person-centred digital solutions will enable greater autonomy and connection with family members, supporting dignity and quality of life alongside clinical care.
Driving change with people and partnerships
The strategic partnership between Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Nexon offers healthcare organisations a unique advantage in their digital transformation journey.
HPE’s cutting-edge infrastructure provides the robust foundation necessary for managing healthcare’s data-intensive workloads, while Nexon’s expertise in secure delivery and management of integrated digital solutions ensures seamless implementation.
By partnering with HPE and Nexon, healthcare providers gain both the technology foundation and specialised healthcare expertise needed to build connected, secure and sustainable systems. To explore more about building connected healthcare systems, download our resources:
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Australia’s Path To Data-Informed Healthcare Excellence
Our latest research paper, Australia’s Path to Data-Driven Healthcare Excellence, explores the challenges for healthcare leaders, and helps identify a path towards modernised, digital care.
Discover more about our healthcare technology solutions
Discover how we can help expand your care beyond traditional boundaries, or contact Nexon to discuss your goals.
References:
1
Ecosystm & Nexon Research: Australia’s Path To Data-Informed Healthcare Excellence, 2024
2
Digitalhealth.gov.au: Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy (2023 – 2028)
3
Nexon Case Study: Epilepsy Smart Australia
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