May 2024

Welcome to the latest edition of the 2024 On the Horizon newsletter from the Future Workforce Unit (FWU). On the Horizon provides a snapshot of the key trends and developments that have the potential to shape and impact our future workforce, workplace and ways of working.

On the Horizon is part of the Focus on the Future Workforce Initiative, which aims to support the health system to ensure a resilient and digitally enabled workforce that can adapt to the changes in the system caused by technology and other disruptions. By focusing on not just the now, but also the future, NSW Health can ensure that we meet the needs of the community now and into the future.

Please note that the opinions shared in On the Horizon are those of the respective authors, and may not reflect the views of FWU or NSW Health.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the articles may contain images of people who have passed away.

As the crisp leaves fall, new beginnings call. As the sun's warmth fades, an emergent chance arises to explore new glades. With that said, last week we ran a Futures Musters in collaboration with Hunter New England LHD and the Health Innovation Living Lab. We engaged with 30 leaders across the day from allied health, nursing, medical and HR. We had some great discussions with the group on topics such as 24/7 opportunities to improve health outcomes, how to engage Gen Z and Gen Alpha, workplace culture being essential for adopting innovations, and Employee Value Proposition. These conversations are so important to ensure that we see the future challenges, opportunities, and priorities before us, with action today!

I am excited to report that Series 5 of the Future Health Podcast was kicked off on 15 May 2024, with a new episode released every Wednesday. This season focuses on the theme of ‘What if …’, and so far, we’ve heard from experts about the future of workforce wellbeing, public and population health campaigns, and the delivery of hospital level care in the home. Hundreds of listeners have already tuned in to the episodes. You can also listen at the platforms listed below.

In this month's edition of On the Horizon, we're exploring a range of signals including advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and medical imaging, advancements in digital therapeutics for mental health services, and trends around the rapidly evolving use of medical drones in healthcare. When we select our topics for the newsletter, we ensure we anchor ourselves with the relatable opportunities of the present, with our eyes firmly looking forward on the possibilities of the future. While we can't predict or forecast exactly what will happen tomorrow, it is possible to imagine what might happen and prepare for the possibilities.

I invite you, as you sift through these trends, to use the questions included to prompt further conversations with your peers and networks to explore what these trends could mean for your future context.

- Tamara Lee 

Director, Future Workforce

The incorporation of AI technology in diagnostic imaging such as MRI, CT scans, and X-rays has conventionally focused on enhancing image clarity and diagnostic precision, and recent research focuses on enhanced ability to interpret complex medical images with greater accuracy than ever before. But the integration trend is extending beyond traditional imaging systems.

A team of scientists at Cardiff University have developed an AI system that mimics the gaze of radiologists reading medical images. AI capabilities are now being designed to predict diagnostic areas that radiologists should focus on, essentially guiding the diagnostic process and potentially refreshing the role of imaging professionals.

Further, integration of AI with electronic health records (EHRs) is advancing, providing a holistic framework that enhances not just image interpretation but also the integration of these images with patient medical records and treatment plans. Integrating AI with diagnostic imaging systems and EHRs could lead to better predictive health analytics, personalised treatment plans, and efficient patient management. This integration is projected to significantly decrease diagnostic errors, optimise treatment efficacy, and improve patient outcomes. Microsoft and Epic’s recent partnership has enabled generative AI to be used in EHRs making this future even more probable as the Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR) is rolled out across NSW Health by eHealth with Epic Systems.

Several AI initiatives are already in place across NSW Health to continue to harness the potential and innovations associated with AI whilst also managing risk. So as artificial intelligence extends its artificial hand, how can we best prepare the workforce for the integration of these advanced AI technologies? What strategies and skills are necessary to ensure smooth transitions towards technology-enhanced diagnostics?

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Advancements in digital therapeutics present a potential sea change in how mental health services are administered, accessed, and optimised.

The Federal Government announced it will provide $588.5 million over eight years from 2024–25 (and $113.4 million per year ongoing) to establish a national low intensity digital mental health service that is free of charge and free of need for referral. So, what might the future of digital mental health services look like?

A recent investment into mental health research in the UK is exploring the development of a mental health avatar - or interactive digital twin – which will act as a virtual model of an individual’s health, and can suggest treatments and resources that will support their mental health. The avatar will adapt to variations in an individual’s behaviour and lifestyle which aren’t necessarily captured in clinical diagnoses but are key to identifying new treatments and ways to optimise their care.

Further, as the world of AI-assisted VR therapy opens new horizons in mental health treatment, the first ever mood management application to be used on VR headsets is in development to support high risk patients awaiting mental health care in London.

There are challenges to consider such as accessibility and maintaining the quality of mental health services as we explore the intersection between patient care and the future of digital therapeutics. But as you reflect, what strategies can our workforce adopt to integrate this type of technology safely and effectively into existing digital therapeutics platforms? What skills are necessary to ensure smooth transitions towards this change?

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Autonomous drones i.e., drones which are designed to function without human intervention, are positioned to transform healthcare logistics in remote and inaccessible areas enabling access to quality and timely care where it would otherwise be challenging.

The Wildu Aero Project at the University of Sydney, only last month received funding to develop a hydrogen-fuelled medical drone that aims to address health inequities for Australia's rural and isolated communities, particularly First Nations. The medical drone will provide care and complement telehealth, pathology, and pharmaceutical delivery services in rural and remote regions of Australia assisting local primary health networks. The drone project will also support emergency and disaster management operations, such as during infection outbreaks and flooding.

A scoping review in the Journal of Clinical Medicine also investigated the use of drones to transport Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to the site of cardiac arrest incidents, which is a model being tested in various countries. Drones may be able to deliver the AEDs directly to bystanders before local emergency services arrival, thus expediting the time to defibrillation and significantly improving survival.

How could drone technology be integrated into existing infrastructure at NSW Health? Is it likely we will need to create new partnerships to support the use of drones in healthcare? What other areas of health could drones be used to support the delivery of healthcare?

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Future Health is a podcast from NSW Health about the future ways we will work, the work we will do and the impact of technology and scientific innovation on the future of healthcare. We have now released  Series 5, where Dr Louise Messara is joined by a fantastic line-up of guests to discuss the future of work in healthcare, exploring topics around the theme of “What if…”.

Each episode will increase the listeners exposure to the research, analysis and insights, generated locally and from across the world, that will challenge us to consider where we are and where we could be going. The narrative-based, relatable content will resonate with the curious listener looking to learn from others and be inspired and open-minded in a fast-changing world.

Don't forget to subscribe to the Future Health podcast so you don't miss a thing:

While every effort is taken to validate the currency and accuracy of the content presented in the newsletter, NSW Health does not make any representations and  warranties with respect to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained herein. The content is represented as information only and readers should undertake their own research and enquires with respect to the specific details and information contained in this newsletter.

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