e-health
e-Communications in Practice
One of the steps in the process of developing the foundations to enable a national e-health system is to ensure the benefits of e-health can be realised as soon as possible. To achieve this, the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) is focusing their efforts on e-communications in practice by implementing and delivering early e-health services for the most commonly exchanged health information.1
NEHTA was established by the Australian, State and Territory governments to develop better ways of electronically collecting and securely exchanging health information.The College works with NEHTA, where our directions are aligned, and to ensure that general practice needs are reflected in NEHTA’s work.
The College has an ongoing working relationship with NEHTA in relation to the development of e-health services for commonly exchanged health information. Specifically, current e-health services include:
The Colleges input and work in relation to these initiatives involves maintaining collaborative relationships with NEHTA and the GP Clinical Leads. The RACGP e-health working group and e-health team are also involved in consultation and review of the e-Communications in Practice document packages and specifications to ensure consistency with College standards and best clinical practice.
Foundations of e-Communications in Practice
In order to support the e-Communications in Practice, strong foundations are also being established. These foundations include the provision of Individual Healthcare Identifiers (IHIs), and standard clinical terminologies.
Individual Healthcare Identifiers:
In July 2010 the Australian Federal Government passed a legislation enabling the provision of IHIs to all Australian residents. The IHIs legislative framework includes governance arrangements, permitted uses and privacy safeguards2. Further information on this legislative framework can be accessed through the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing e-health website.
NEHTA are actively working to ensure the use of IHIs strongly support the developing e-health services. Further information can also be obtained via the NEHTA website. Fact sheets and FAQ’s are also available for download:
Setting foundations for e-health with healthcare identifiers – FAQs for Individuals
Setting foundations for e-health with healthcare identifiers – FAQs for Providers
Clinical Terminologies and Information
NEHTA established the National Clinical Terminology and Information Service (NCTIS) to develop terminology and information products which support the e-health services of the Australian healthcare community3. A standard clinical terminology is vital to ensure the clinical descriptions used in clinical e-Communications as listed above are accurately recorded and consistently interpreted.
There are two standard terminologies that NEHTA are responsible for managing, developing and distributing. These Terminologies include:
Further information on the NCTIS and NEHTA’s work around clinical terminologies can be accessed via the NEHTA website.
1. www.NEHTA.gov.au/e-communications-in-practice
2. www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/pacd-ehealth-consultation
3. www.NEHTA.gov.au/connecting-australia/terminology-and-information