Carey Mather, School of Nursing, COHM*
Sheree Lloyd, Australian Institute of Health Service Management, CoBE*
Helen Almond, Australian Institute of Health Service Management, CoBE*
Dinah Amoah, School of Health Sciences, COHM
Joel Scanlan, Australian Institute of Health Service Management, CoBE*
The Australian Institute of Health Service Management comprises academics, colleagues and leaders in our disciplines focused on advancing health and social care education and research. We aim to drive excellence in health service management through collaboration, education and research.
This Lightning presentation outlines forthcoming short courses and microlearning initiatives in health and social care: supported by Commonwealth Funding. University academic teams are collaborating with professional associations and industry to co-create cybersecurity, digital health, safety, and quality short programs: addressing industry demands and skill gaps. A trial for these programs is scheduled for 2024.
One example of industry demand comes from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2021): which recommends integrating digital solutions in residential aged care (RAC) to improve health outcomes. A scoping review examined factors contributing to successful technology adoption in RAC: highlighting the necessity of digital governance. Digital governance provides leadership, skill development, training and evaluation: fostering cultures of continuous improvement and enhancing technology adoption and operational efficiency through collaboration.
Short courses and microlearning initiatives will empower health and care professionals, particularly those in RAC, to develop necessary educational foundation for guiding and driving digital capabilities within healthcare workforces. Collaborative partnerships are essential for the co-creation of these short courses: aiming to enhance capabilities and promote optimal technology utilisation. A research paper has been completed: offering practical recommendations for individuals interested in harnessing digital governance to facilitate the meaningful adoption of technology. Specifically, three short courses tailored to health and care workforces covering: digital proficiency, cybersecurity, and safety and quality are in development and set to undergo pilot testing in 2024.
Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. (2021). Aged Care Royal Commission Final Report. Commonwealth of Australia. https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/final-report