The Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency) and the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC) have launched 2 eLearning courses aimed at improving understanding and use of My Health Record across vocational healthcare students and aged care workers.
The Digital Health in Healthcare: Understanding My Health Record course is aimed at current Vocational Education and Training (VET) TAFE students, and complements qualifications including nursing, allied health and health administration.
The Supporting Quality Aged Care with My Health Record course is designed for a range of roles, from aged care workers and aged care assistants to personal care assistants and residential support workers.
Agency CEO Amanda Cattermole PSM said both courses are designed to provide the current and future healthcare workforce with an overview of My Health Record and how it better supports connected care.
"Investing in education empowers the next generation of healthcare workers to thrive in a digitally enabled system, and helps today's workforce stay ahead," Ms Cattermole said.
"When health and care staff are equipped with the confidence and skills to use My Health Record effectively in real-world settings, they can deliver care that's more informed, timely and connected."
The hour-long eLearning courses deliver other significant benefits including building a deeper understanding of data governance, the importance of accurate, up-to-date health information, and how My Health Record can be seamlessly integrated into future care planning.
Participants will be well-prepared to use My Health Record and communicate its benefits, security measures, and safeguards to assist Australians in accessing and understanding the system.
These courses help ensure better continuity of care, strengthen digital health literacy, and streamline workplace workflows, resulting in higher quality, connected care for all involved.
A consortium comprising La Trobe University, La Trobe College, Obvious Choice, TAFE NSW and other stakeholders joined the Agency and the DHCRC to co-design and pilot the programs.
DHCRC Director of Education and Workforce Dr Melanie Haines said cross-sector collaboration is critical to effectively uplift digital literacy across the national healthcare workforce.
"The power of this initiative was the government, university, vocational and industry co-design process, which resulted in My Health Record courses that meet a range of workforce needs, support digital readiness and help drive healthcare transformation," Dr Haines said.
La Trobe University Chair of Digital Health and Innovation Professor James Boyd said feedback during the pilot phase was positive, with close to 200 VET students and 40 aged care staff completing the modules.
"The students and professionals who undertook the pilot courses welcomed the focus on My Health Record as a learning outcome and said it helped improve their awareness and understanding of the system," Prof Boyd said.
To ensure a robust curriculum and practical learning outcomes, the consortium worked to identify and deliver resources that bridge knowledge gaps.
TAFE NSW Head Teacher for Allied Health and Aged Care Leanne Klein-Schiphorst said they were proud to collaborate with industry and shape opportunities that will improve students' digital literacy to help meet the evolving needs of the health and aged care sectors.
"With 50 per cent of all VET students studying Care and Support courses, it's vital that we equip the next generation of healthcare workers with the tools and knowledge they need to support their patients," Ms Klein-Schiphorst said.
The courses are part of the National Digital Health Capability Action Plan (CAP) , which outlines key initiatives to equip Australia's health workforce now and in the future. The CAP supports the National Digital Health Strategy 2023-2028 , which includes a core goal of enabling a digitally ready workforce to provide safer, more connected care.
To enrol in either course, or to view more eLearning opportunities, visit the Australian Digital Health Agency's Online Learning Portal .
Download the media release (PDF, 446.85 KB) .
