Ghosts in the Machine: Identifying the Digital Health Information Workforce

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Informatics
• Health Information Management

Background:

• The critical role of human agency in digital health is often overlooked.
• Managing health information and communication technology (HICT) is complex and vital.
• The contributions of the health information workforce are frequently invisible in digital health discussions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the responsibilities and contributions of the health information workforce.
• To understand the current landscape of health information work in Australia.
• To identify potential workforce reforms for improving digital health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review of the global literature on health information work.
• A national workforce census conducted in Australia.
• Analysis of preliminary data from both the literature review and the census.

Main Results:

• Global literature does not accurately reflect the Australian health information workforce.
• Health information work in Australia is not consistently recognized as highly skilled.
• The practice of health information work is difficult to identify in census findings.

Conclusions:

• Reforming the health information workforce is essential for realizing digital health's potential.
• Visible and skilled health information professionals are key to improving health system performance.
• Addressing the invisibility of this workforce is crucial for effective digital health implementation.