URGENT UPDATE: A new review reveals that rural aged care in Australia is facing a critical gap in digital health technology adoption, threatening the sustainability and safety of services. The study, led by Flinders University, analyzed 48 Australian studies and underscores the immediate need for enhanced support to these regions to leverage the full potential of digital health innovations.
As demand for aged care surges and operational costs soar, Dr. Naser Pourazad, the study’s first author, emphasizes that “Digital health isn’t a luxury for metropolitan providers; it’s essential infrastructure for equity, safety, and sustainability.” The review, published in the International Journal of Medical Informatics, highlights how rural areas struggle to implement vital technologies due to barriers like poor connectivity, inadequate training, and lack of leadership support.
The implications of this digital divide are profound. With aged care services under immense strain from rising costs and workforce shortages, the absence of telehealth and remote monitoring tools in rural facilities exacerbates the crisis. “Mobile and remote monitoring tools help under-resourced facilities track health changes in real time and prevent crises,” Dr. Pourazad states.
Co-author Dr. Peivand Bastani warns that the digital divide will only widen if rural and regional communities are unable to adopt these crucial technologies. “Australia’s aged care system is under strain, with rising costs, growing demand, and persistent workforce shortages stretching services to their limits,” she explains. Yet, the tools necessary for safer, more efficient care remain out of reach for those who need them most.
To close this urgent gap, aged-care providers must take immediate action to integrate digital health solutions. These technologies not only promise to improve care delivery but also to reduce unnecessary hospital transfers, a critical factor in maintaining health service efficacy. “Telehealth and virtual consultations keep older adults connected to care—both in residential and home care—while Electronic Health Records enhance medication safety and coordination,” adds Dr. Madhan Balasubramanian, the study’s senior author.
As aging populations grow and the pressure on healthcare systems increases, the need for digital health adoption in rural Australia has never been more pressing. Authorities confirm that without immediate intervention and support, the disparity in health outcomes between urban and rural aged care will continue to widen, creating a crisis that could affect thousands of older Australians.
The time to act is now. Stakeholders in the aged care sector must mobilize to ensure that cutting-edge digital health technologies are accessible to all, regardless of geographical barriers. As the healthcare landscape evolves, the survival and quality of care for rural communities depend on embracing these innovations.
For more detailed information, refer to the study by Naser Pourazad et al., titled “Lived experiences of health professionals using digital health in Australian aged care: A scoping review,” published in the International Journal of Medical Informatics.
