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.

Spring has come, the sun shines bright, time to get outside and feel alright. Fresh air, sunshine, a healthy start, Nature’s beauty, a healing art.

We are thrilled to announce the recent launch and bloom of the Pilot Workforce Accelerator Workshop, a pivotal step in translating our futures thinking into practical action. This workshop is designed to tackle complex workforce challenges through collaborative, human-centered solutions. During the workshop, we addressed the important question: How can we enhance the pipeline for attracting and retaining student and early-career Radiation Therapists to ensure a sustainable future for the NSW Health workforce?

In preparation, we conducted interviews and site visits at key locations, including the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre in Westmead and the Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre in Nowra. These visits provided valuable insights into the current state of the workforce. At the workshop, we engaged with students, universities, technology representatives, and radiation therapy professionals whose contributions are essential as we look forward to the promising outcomes and advancements ahead. Watch this video for a glimpse of the workshop highlights.

We are pleased to share with you this month's edition of On the Horizon, with our exploration of a range of signals including the future impact of AI on project management, the next gen of research translators and the rise of commercialisation in healthcare. I invite you, as you sift through these trends, to use the questions included to prompt further conversations with your peers to explore what these trends could mean for the future, today.

Finally, the countdown is now on for the launch of Series 6 of the Future Health Podcast! This season, we shine a spotlight on the Change Makers driving progress and redefining the Australian healthcare landscape. Our host, Dr Louise Messara is joined by a line-up of innovators, visionaries, and disruptors who are shaping the future of healthcare. Our first guest is Secretary, Susan Pearce AM who shares some of the lessons learnt and insights gained from steering the healthcare system through uncertain times. Mark your diaries because the series trailer will be released on Wednesday 18 September 2024 with each episode dropping on the last Wednesday of the month starting on 25 September 2024.

- Tamara Lee 

Director, Future Workforce

Only 35% of projects are completed successfully. Did that statistic catch your attention? Though hard to verify, it's reminiscent of John Kotter’s claim that change projects have a 70% failure rate – also challenging to confirm, but nonetheless surprising. A contributing factor to this alarming rate is the low maturity of current project management technologies. However, as researchers, startups and innovative organisations integrate AI, machine learning and advanced technologies into project management, this is set to change dramatically.

Gartner predicts that by 2030, AI, big data and machine learning will handle 80% of project management tasks. Technology will transform project selection, prioritisation and tracking, while virtual project assistants will shift project managers' focus from administrative tasks to strategic coaching and stakeholder management. Innovations in AI will revolutionise project management with tools like predictive analytics platforms, which enhance decision-making and optimise resource allocation by forecasting future outcomes.

The potential of AI in project management is vast, promising not only automation but also predictive capabilities and strategic insights. To harness these benefits in the future, there’s a need to start preparing now for this technological shift. According to Harvard Business Review, this involves collecting and organising project data, training teams and allocating resources.

How will the integration of AI reshape the digital capabilities required of future project managers in NSW Health, and what specific skills will our current project officers and managers need to develop in anticipation of this shift? In what ways can future project managers use AI to foster innovation and creativity within teams, rather than simply automating existing processes? As AI technologies advance, what new challenges might arise for project managers, and how can we proactively address these challenges to stay ahead?

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It is often remarked that it takes an average of 17 years for research evidence to reach clinical practice. Implementation science, which focuses on methods and strategies to incorporate evidence-based practices into everyday use, has been the focus in addressing this delay. But as research and innovation accelerates, the role and capacity of the healthcare workforce in bridging this gap becomes increasingly crucial.

The Australian Health Research Alliance emphasises the important role of 'Research Translators' - frontline professionals who integrate evidence and innovation into healthcare - as a key workforce capability essential for translating research into practice. While the healthcare workforce already plays a pivotal role in this translation, research tells us that many health professionals lack the knowledge, skills and time needed to effectively organise, analyse and apply research findings. Additionally, they often lack the authority to implement these learnings into their practice.

NSW Health's annual Translational Research Grant Scheme has turned clinical discoveries into practical applications by funding projects led by staff within the State’s health system, including nurses, paramedics and allied health professionals. Countries like the UK, USA, and Singapore have made significant investments in developing Research Translators to bridge the translation gap. These investments provide specific funding to support the development and time commitment of skilled professionals within healthcare organisations. These professionals include doctors, nurses, allied health professionals (such as dietitians, pharmacists and radiographers), pathology technicians, medical informaticians, biostatisticians, clinical trial designers, implementation scientists, improvement scientists and safety and quality experts.

So how could we build on existing work in NSW Health and expand workforce capabilities and capacity in research translation? What workforces and partnerships do we need to be future-ready to accelerate the integration of evidence and innovation into healthcare? What role could technologies such as AI play in this space?

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The growing trend of corporatising healthcare is reshaping service delivery, bringing both new opportunities and challenges. In Australia, corporatisation has long been a feature of primary care, with private companies striving to enhance service quality and accessibility. This trend extends into other areas, including telehealth and pharmacies, with retail giants like Woolworths and Wesfarmers expanding into healthcare, and technology companies like Uber Health offering patient transport.

But what happens when private interests fail to generate sufficient revenue? Looking globally, a notable example is Walmart in the USA, which closed 51 of its health clinics and halted its virtual healthcare operations despite previously announcing expansion plans, citing the business model as unsustainable. Corporate involvement also highlights the importance of understanding commercial determinants of health - the impact of private sector activities on population health outcomes. As corporate influence grows in healthcare, managing these commercial factors will be crucial to maximise benefits while addressing potential drawbacks.

Looking ahead, what skills will be essential for navigating a healthcare system influenced by corporatisation and commercial determinants of health? What best practices can be established to balance innovation driven by commercial interest, with the fundamental goal of improving population health? How can collaboration between public health entities and private organisations be structured to ensure mutual benefit without compromising the core values of healthcare?

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The Future Health Podcast features thought-provoking discussions with subject matter experts and thought leaders about current and emerging trends in healthcare and the future of work for the NSW Health workforce and beyond.

In Series 6 of the Future Health Podcast, we shine a spotlight on the Change Makers driving progress and redefining the Australian healthcare landscape. Our host, Dr Louise Messara is joined by a line-up of innovators, visionaries, and disruptors who are shaping the future of healthcare.

Join us as we uncover how these change makers are navigating uncertainty, leveraging emerging trends, and breaking new ground to enhance healthcare for all. From leadership strategies and generational shifts to climate impacts and technological marvels, this season is a journey through the dynamic intersection of innovation and care.

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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