Digital foundations: Empowering allied health through data, tech and AI
An article written by Dr Olivia Farrer, Senior Research Fellow at CareSearch and ELDAC, RePaDD, Flinders University
Prepared with use of M365 Copilot AI technology and edited by Dr Olivia Farrer, Accredited Practising Dietitian & Senior Research Fellow –CareSearch/ELDAC, Member of Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death, and Dying (RePaDD), College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, SA.
As Australia’s population ages and the demand for palliative care surges, a digitally enabled, interdisciplinary approach is becoming essential to support people with life-limiting illnesses across diverse care settings. The following highlights new resources that can empower allied health professionals to deliver more coordinated, compassionate, and person-centred care. Digital health is driving major change in health systems and in our community and there is an increasing use of technology in palliative care and in care provision at the end of life.
Allied health professionals are increasingly positioned to leverage emerging technologies to enhance service delivery and health outcomes. From streamlining clinical workflows to more real-time collaboration in person-centred care, digital health is no longer a futuristic concept but a practical ally in everyday practice.
The Primary Health Network (PHN) Allied Health Practice Engagement Toolkit was launched this year as an initiative of The National PHN Allied Health in Primary Care Engagement Framework. This resource is intended to be a practical tool for allied health professionals working in primary care, and individual PHNs have been encouraged to tailor the toolkit to their localities. The role of allied health professionals is broad; therefore, the toolkit offers a range of practice-ready tips and resources. Included, is the timely and practical guide to help clinicians navigate digital health systems, harness data for better decision-making, and prepare for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday practice.
Why digital health matters in allied health
Digital health is more than just electronic records, it’s about creating connected, responsive systems that support person-centred care. For allied health professionals, this means:
- Improved communication across multidisciplinary teams
- Streamlined workflows through digital referrals and shared care planning
- Enhanced access to patient histories and outcomes – removing the need for clients having to retell their story
- Greater visibility of allied health contributions to aged and palliative care
- Accessing digital tools and resources that clients can directly interact with.
The PHN toolkit encourages practices to assess their digital maturity and take steps toward integrating systems like My Health Record, secure messaging, and telehealth platforms.
Data collection: From compliance to insight
Accurate and consistent data collection is essential-not just for reporting, but for driving meaningful change. The toolkit highlights the importance of:
- Standardised data entry to support interoperability
- Outcome measurement tools that reflect allied health impact
- Using data to inform service planning and funding decisions.
By capturing the right data, allied health professionals can demonstrate their value, identify gaps in care, and contribute to a more responsive health and social care system for palliative care.
Artificial intelligence: Preparing for the next frontier
AI is already influencing health care through predictive analytics, decision support tools, and automation. For allied health, AI already offers potential in:
- Fall risk prediction using sensor data and mobility assessments
- Speech and language analysis for early detection of cognitive decline
- Automated documentation to reduce administrative burden
The PHN Allied Health Practice Engagement toolkit encourages practitioners to stay informed about AI developments and consider ethical implications, data governance, and workforce readiness.
Practical steps for allied health professionals
To harness the benefits of digital health, data, and AI, the PHN Allied Health Practice Engagement Toolkit suggests professionals:
- Complete a digital health self-assessment using the toolkit’s resources
- Engage in training on secure messaging, My Health Record, and telehealth
- Review current data practices and align with national standards
- Advocate for inclusion in digital health policy and funding models.
As allied health professionals, embracing emerging digital technologies with curiosity and openness will be key to enhancing care - provided we remain mindful of privacy, safety, and ethical responsibilities along the way.
Explore more
- The CareSearch Palliative Care and Digital Health Evidence summary provides a broad overview of how technology is being used to improve outcomes in palliative care.
- For further guidance, Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) also offers a comprehensive Digital Health Resources Hub that includes webinars, software selection tools, telehealth guides, and terminology standards to support digital practice across the allied health sector.
- The new ELDAC Allied Health Toolkit hot topic ‘My Health Record’, also offers a more detailed overview of digital health records and how allied health can start to engage in online care planning
- These resources complement the PHN toolkit and help practitioners build digital confidence and capability.
Author
Dr Olivia Farrer
Teaching Program Director – Health Sciences / Senior Research Fellow (CareSearch/ELDAC)
Member, Flinders Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death, and Dying (RePaDD)
Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Flinders University