The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) has launched a health guide to help Australians find the latest health information and advice about navigating the healthcare system at a time when information overload is widespread.
The Agency’s Chief Digital Officer, Steven Issa said the guide provided clear advice to help people get healthcare safely as restrictions eased and its online resources included a symptom checker.
“A recently coined term, ‘infodemic’, has been used to describe the oversupply of information that confuses rather than clarifies,” Mr Issa said.
“Digital health solutions are key to the national response to COVID-19 and the Agency has developed this online guide to give Australians clear advice on how to navigate the health system during this global infodemic,” he said.
“This guide aims to support Australians throughout their health journey and encourages Australians not to put their health on hold.”
Mr Issa said the guide explained what to do if a person had COVID-19 symptoms, needed medication (unrelated to COVID-19), was sick or injured with symptoms unrelated to COVID-19 or was seeking emotional support. He said there was also general information on how to stay healthy as restrictions eased.
He said the guide also explained how people could update their online health information, including allergies, medicines and personal details.
People could also learn how to access their pathology and diagnostic imaging results, book a telehealth consultation and get medications without a paper prescription, he said.
Doctor and hospital director in South-East Queensland, Bav Manoharan said the guide was a good place to seek help with health issues.
“Fortunately, Australia is seeing the COVID-19 pandemic ease, as our collective efforts to flatten the curve have worked,” Dr Manoharan said.
“However, we need to be careful to not get complacent and put off our normal health check-ups and regular visits to GPs and other health services,” he said.
“There are a number of convenient ways to get health help and make a physical or telehealth appointment with your usual health practitioner, and a good place to start is to visit the practical guide to a healthier future through digital technology for advice on your situation.”
The guide can be viewed at this PS News link.
