Australia’s Swinburne University of Technology has formed a new research partnership with a not-for-profit private health group in Victoria.
According to a recent press release, the newly signed three year agreement will look at better leveraging of digital health technologies in order to address critical health issues and be beneficial for patients.
The Partnership
The partnership will focus on health informatics management with an emphasis on digital health research. As part of the partnership, health data will be analysed and provided to researchers.
This is the first formal health research collaboration between the University and the organisation. It will develop health research capabilities around technology solutions to benefit patients across the country.
The Director of the University’s Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute shared that this partnership will leverage both of the organisations’ strengths in health research, technology and teaching.
He added that strengthening relationships with healthcare industry leaders remains to be the key in continuing to respond in the growing need for health professionals and health solutions.
A University researcher and Professor of Digital Health will serve as the organisation’s Chair of Health Informatics Management under this partnership.
What is the focus of the research?
This collaboration will enable digital health to move forward in order to look at research that will develop superior patient-centred solutions that support high quality care.
The research will involve key activities such as analysing health data and evaluating tech solutions to improve the value of patient-focused healthcare and clinical outcomes.
Particular attention will be given on the following:
- How unplanned hospital readmissions can be reduced and effectively managed through the use of analytics and AI
- How health data can be better analysed and managed with a focus on providing better outcomes for patients
- Evaluating and assessing current health technology systems in place in hospitals and other health contexts
- Investigating critical aspects of robotic surgery at the organisation and how these assets can be used in other forms of surgery
Improving healthcare
The organisation’s Eastern Executive Director describes the agreement as a wonderful example of their commitment in developing partnerships that can improve the quality of care provided to their patients.
It is through research and technological innovation that modern health care delivery can be improved in order to achieve a more positive, meaningful and sustainable impact on the health and wellbeing of the community.
The students of the University have already experience the benefits of the University’s good relationship with the organisation.
For instance, more than 160 students from nursing, psychology, occupational therapy and applied statistics took part in formal placements and research projects at the organisation.