Digital Health Maturity: AIDH CEO Anja Nikolic on Closing the Gap

Digital Divide in Healthcare: Australian Leader Calls for Increased Tech Literacy

Sydney, Australia – A significant gap in digital health maturity threatens to undermine the potential of technology to transform healthcare, according to Anja Nikolic, CEO of the Australian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH). Nikolic, who assumed her role in March 2024, warns that a lack of widespread digital literacy among healthcare professionals – particularly within allied health fields – is hindering the adoption of innovations that could improve patient care, streamline workflows, and address critical systemic challenges.

The issue isn’t a lack of available technology, Nikolic emphasizes. “There’s an app for almost everything,” she told Hospital + Healthcare in a recent interview. “The real problem is ensuring that healthcare workers have the skills and confidence to effectively utilize these tools, and that systems are in place to facilitate seamless data sharing and collaboration.”

The Allied Health Blind Spot

Nikolic’s concern stems from her own experiences prior to leading the AIDH. As former GM of membership for the Australian Physiotherapy Association, she witnessed firsthand the difficulties in integrating digital health solutions into allied health practice. Despite numerous attempts to promote digital tools and address sector pain points, efforts stalled due to a lack of engagement and systemic support.

“It was incredibly frustrating,” Nikolic recalls. “Allied health represents roughly 300,000 workers – a substantial portion of the healthcare workforce. To ignore their needs and capabilities when discussing healthcare transformation is simply unsustainable.” This underrepresentation has created a disparity where some healthcare professionals have embraced digital health for decades, while others are only now beginning to explore its potential.

This disparity isn’t merely a matter of convenience; it impacts patient care. Nikolic highlights the challenges of multidisciplinary teamwork in managing complex conditions like type 2 diabetes. “The ability for a pathologist, general practitioner, and exercise physiologist to seamlessly share patient data is crucial for effective care. Relying on fax machines and email is not only inefficient but also raises serious security concerns.” The My Health Record, Australia’s national electronic health record system, offers a potential solution, but its full potential remains untapped without increased digital health maturity.

AI and the Need for Critical Evaluation

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) presents both opportunities and challenges. While AI holds promise in areas like diagnostics, Nikolic cautions against uncritical acceptance of AI-driven insights. She points to the growing trend of patients self-diagnosing using tools like ChatGPT.

“We’ve seen instances where patients have accurately diagnosed themselves with ChatGPT, but for every success story, there are likely many more misdiagnoses,” she explains. “ChatGPT is a general-purpose tool, not a specialist medical resource. It can get you from point A to point B, but it needs an experienced ‘driver’ – a qualified clinician – to ensure a safe and accurate journey.” This underscores the importance of equipping clinicians with the knowledge to evaluate and interpret AI outputs effectively.

Globally, the demand for skilled healthcare professionals is increasing. According to the World Health Organization, there is a projected shortfall of 10 million health workers by 2030, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Leveraging digital health tools and AI can help alleviate some of this strain, but only if healthcare professionals are adequately prepared.

Addressing Systemic Barriers and Building Capacity

Nikolic identifies several systemic barriers hindering digital health adoption, including heavy workloads and a lack of accessible training pathways. “Healthcare professionals are already stretched thin. Finding the time and inclination to learn new technologies can be difficult,” she says. Existing master’s programs are often impractical for full-time workers, leaving many to learn on the job or through sporadic training opportunities.

To address this, the AIDH is developing a Clinical Informatics Fellowship, designed to cultivate digital health leadership. This represents a shift in focus for the organization, which traditionally catered to digital health experts. “We need to cast a wider net,” Nikolic explains. “We need to target those who lack digital literacy and provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.” This initiative aligns with broader efforts to promote digital health literacy, as outlined in the Australian National Digital Health Strategy 2023-2033.

Nikolic believes her early experiences in allied health have provided her with a valuable perspective. “It’s a poignant reminder of why closing this gap matters,” she concludes. “It’s not just about technology; it’s about ensuring that all healthcare professionals have the tools and skills they need to deliver the best possible care to their patients.” For more on the future of healthcare innovation, see our coverage of the future of healthcare.