e-Mental Health: A Guide for GPs

e-Mental Health: A Guide for GPs

eHealth General Practice Mental health

The term e-mental health refers to the use of the internet and related technologies to deliver mental health information, services and care. e-Mental health interventions are effective for use in the management of mild to moderate depression and anxiety, and can be disseminated in the primary care setting. The RACGP has developed e-Mental health: A guide for GPs to assist you in using e-mental health interventions with patients when it is safe to do so.

The Guide is designed to provide an introduction to the field of e-mental health, direct you to key online resources for you and your patients, and help you to decide how to use e-mental health in your practice.

An Introduction to Trauma Informed Care

An Introduction to Trauma Informed Care

Adolescents Carers Children Education eHealth Trauma

ACATLGN has recently announced the launch of a free online learning website - An Introduction toTrauma Informed Care. This online learning has been designed to increase information and knowledge on the impact of experiences of adversity and trauma on children and young people. It contains information, resources, videos and links to provide a comprehensive introduction to trauma informed care.  

The program is designed as an easily accessed on-line introduction and learning program for families, carers and other professionals with responsibilities for the care of children who may need support as a result of challenging and potentially traumatic experiences. There are six modules that you can work through at your own pace, with free resources to download that accompany the modules.

The Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network is based at the Australian National University and is funded by the Australian Government.

Free e-learning-An Introduction to Trauma Informed Care           

Clinical ICT Systems in the Victorian Public Health Sector

Clinical ICT Systems in the Victorian Public Health Sector

Communication eHealth Information technology

This audit report, by the Victorian Auditor-General's Office, examined the clinical information and communications technology (ICT) systems of eight public health services in Victoria to see whether they were appropriately planned and implemented and whether expected outcomes and benefits are being realised. It examined the HealthSMART clinical ICT systems implemented at four health services and clinical ICT systems implemented at four other health services. The Department of Health (DH) failed to complete the expected implementation of clinical ICT systems across 19 Victorian health services due to poor planning and an inadequate understanding of system requirements. It significantly underestimated project scope, costs and time lines, as well as the required clinical workflow redesign and change management efforts. In contrast, non-HealthSMART sites have used their own internally generated funds and implemented clinical ICT systems at a fraction of the cost of implementing HealthSMART. This audit found evidence of a number of potential clinical risks at three of the HealthSMART sites. In the absence of appropriate controls and effective mitigations, these issues could pose serious patient safety risks. (APO 31 October 2013)

Health Provider Broadband Connectivity: a Review of Technical Requirements

Health Provider Broadband Connectivity: a Review of Technical Requirements

Communication eHealth Telehealth

Over the next 5 to 10 years high-speed broadband will enable a number of new services in the health sector including telemedicine consultations, electronic health records, eLearning for clinicians, and personalised medicine and participatory healthcare. Currently, there are a variety of piecemeal data connectivity arrangements with multiple connections and service providers in the health sector. For the healthcare sector to take advantage of high-speed broadband, delivering an efficient and effective transformation of service delivery and supply chain reform, integrated planning and better coordination of data connectivity are essential.

At present there is little information exchange and knowledge sharing across the health sector. This project, by Kathleen Gray and others at the Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society, addresses this gap in knowledge and will develop a systematic and strategic map of health provider connectivity pathways. The research team will review scientific, technical and policy literature to analyse data connectivity requirements in health care environments producing a white paper that will inform debate within the sector. In addition to the literature review, empirical research will explore the typical current arrangements and future requirements among major Victorian health provider organisations. Finally, this project will develop service delivery models to support the financing, management and governance of data connectivity. (APO 3 July 2013)