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Rural Health Pro features in National Digital Health Strategy
26th February 2024
The Australian Digital Health Agency has cast a national spotlight on RDN’s innovative approaches to digital health in the National Digital Health Strategy 2023-2028, a five-year plan that sets the vision and pathway for Australia’s digital health future. Amongst six “innovation spotlights” featured, RDN was recognised for increasing access to multidisciplinary healthcare through digitally enhanced Outreach services; and Rural Health Pro was singled out for building rural health workforce capability.
The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care noted in his foreword that the Strategy had been developed in consultation with State and Territory Governments, consumers, healthcare professionals and the software industry and would “strengthen Medicare and enable our health system to serve the needs of Australians today and into the future.”
The following is an excerpt from the Strategy document, highlighting the work of Rural Health Pro:
INNOVATION SPOTLIGHT: Rural Health Pro – building rural health workforce capability
A lack of professional development opportunities, professional isolation, and psychosocial and personal factors are those most frequently cited as negatively influencing the retention of health professionals in rural areas.
Rural Health Pro, an Australia-wide digital health tool developed by the Rural Doctors Network is designed to support and connect rural health professionals and connects people and organisations passionate about keeping rural communities healthy.
Using a partnership approach with health organisations, Rural Health Pro’s digital hub enables health practitioners to interact through groups and discussions. Members can access content related to their profession and interests, learn about career opportunities, training resources and funding opportunities, and attend digital events.
Each year, Rural Health Pro hosts digital and hybrid wellness and capability events as part of its Rural Health Month. The initiative has grown steadily, with the 2022 event involving more than 1,300 participants.
Rural Health Pro is having a positive impact on rural health professionals. An evaluation of Rural Health Pro shows 66% of survey respondents in 2023 indicated that it made them feel more supported as a health professional; 56% indicated they felt more capable in their role; 58% stated they felt more connected to other health professionals; and 85% believed the personal and/or professional networks they developed on Rural Health Pro positively affected their life or work.
Read the full National Digital Health Strategy here.
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