How do we create a balanced view of digital health value in the New Zealand healthcare system?

Digital health is increasingly seen as a crucial component of modern healthcare systems, offering opportunities to improve patient outcomes, enhance operational efficiency, and provide more personalised care.

The NZ government has recognised the vital role of digital health infrastructure, placing it on par with physical healthcare facilities like hospitals. This recognition underscores the urgency of investing in robust digital health solutions to create a more efficient, patient-centred system. The Government's commitment to a 10-year infrastructure investment plan, which includes a strong emphasis on digital health, is a significant step toward achieving this vision.

Yet, this journey is not without its hurdles. We are grappling with a significant 'tech debt', a legacy of underinvestment that has left our digital infrastructure fragmented and outdated. This has led to 'technology black spots,' where disparities in service delivery across regions worsen existing inequities in healthcare.

A core challenge is ensuring that advancements in digital health do not widen the gap in healthcare access and quality. These 'technology black spots' highlight the uneven distribution of digital resources, which can result in inconsistencies in care. For instance, incomplete electronic health records (EHRs) not only hinder clinicians' ability to make informed decisions but also limit patients' and whānau's ability to manage their health effectively.

To tackle these issues, strategic investment in digital health must prioritise the development of fully interoperable health IT infrastructure. Balancing innovation in digital health with the practicalities of implementation within a resource-constrained environment is crucial. As NZ's health IT sector continues to evolve, sustained investment is needed to support ongoing digital modernisation efforts. Additionally, integrating digital tools should be done cautiously to ensure they genuinely enhance, rather than complicate, care delivery. For example, while telehealth and mobile health applications hold promise for improving patient engagement, they must be underpinned by a reliable and secure digital infrastructure to be truly effective.

The success of New Zealand's digital health strategy will hinge on its ability to integrate these solutions into the broader healthcare system, aligning them with national health priorities and ensuring they are accessible to all citizens, regardless of location.

This balanced approach not only addresses the immediate needs of the healthcare system but also lays the foundation for long-term sustainability and innovation, ensuring that digital health becomes a cornerstone of our healthcare landscape.