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Enhancing Digital Healthcare: Aligning Australia’s Digital Health Strategies with Value-Based Healthcare Principles

Paul Tait , Darren Daff , Pamela Everingham, Ashley Leahy, Rhys Parker, Rebecca Perry, Melanie Smith, David Morris

Abstract

Objective: This appraisal aims to map Australian digital healthcare strategies at the territory, state, and national levels, utilising a Value-based healthcare (VBHC) framework to identify key processes in building value into digital health initiatives. Methods: The researchers conducted an Advanced Google search to identify strategic frameworks relevant to delivering digital healthcare solutions. They screened documents based on set inclusion and exclusion criteria. Using Braun and Clarke’s approach to thematic analysis the researchers mapped the contents of the strategic digital health documents against a published VBHC framework to identify ten common key processes to embedding VBHC into digital health initiatives. Results: The strategic documents collectively align with VBHC. In mapping these documents, this review identified ten key processes organisations delivering digitally based healthcare services can use to integrate VBHC into digital healthcare services. Additionally, the review highlighted two gaps in the strategic documents that could enhance their alignment with VBHC principles. First, to address the health inequities that certain groups face, it is essential to explore how priority populations connect with virtual care services. Second, a national approach must be undertaken to develop patient-centred outcome and experience measures to demonstrate how digital health innovations improve service effectiveness and accessibility. Conclusions: In mapping the digital strategies against a published VBHC framework we have identified ten key processes for embedding VBHC into new digital health innovations. Strategic documents must advocate for building digital health innovations that consider priority populations and foster patient-centred measures that enhance effectiveness and accessibility.

AH25022  Accepted 15 May 2025

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