Optometry Australia (OA) has joined the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH) and Australian Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (AAAiH) peak bodies in a step towards embracing innovation in digital healthcare.
AIDH is the peak body for digital health representing a united voice for health informatics and digital health leaders and practitioners. Meanwhile, AAAiH brings together more than 100 national and international partners and stakeholders in academia, governance, consumer, clinical, industry organisations, and peak bodies to translate frontier artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into real-world health services.
“Optometry Australia is delighted to join these important networks. We look forward to working together to help secure optometry’s active participation in the ongoing digital transformation of the healthcare system,” director of optometry advancement Ms Sarah Davies, said.
OA’s Optometry 2040 project, launched in 2018, describes plausible futures for Australian primary eyecare, the preferred future, and key steps to realising it.
As part of the project, it was noted that “increasingly rapid change, associated with technological, economic, political and demographic influences, is disrupting tried and true optometry practice models, working conditions, patient eyecare, and clinician training requirements and communication”.
The peak body said that in the current eyecare landscape, this is highly relevant.
“The landscape of healthcare is rapidly evolving, and optometry must stay adaptable and responsive to emerging trends. Our participation in these networks will help us stay at the forefront of current and rising digital health initiatives,” Davies said.
As the context and landscape surrounding optometry, eye health and optometrists continues to evolve, OA recommends continuous review of the trends driving the industry towards the future.
Members are invited to join OA and register for one of two CPD interactive workshop sessions where CEO Ms Skye Cappuccio will revisit the report and outline the progress made since.
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