Funder: Metro South Health Study, Education and Research Trust Account (SERTA)
Research has shown that virtual healthcare services are effective (such as those using video consultations and text-based interventions), and that virtual care can result in better patient experience and confidence to self-manage conditions. However, patients and healthcare staff only get the benefits if these options are well integrated into usual care. Local research has demonstrated challenges to using virtual care such as staff willingness and confidence to use virtual care options, equity gaps, workflow and system integration issues, and virtual health being used in research trials not often making it into usual care.
This project is implementing and evaluating the role of a virtual health navigator in the Princess Alexandra Hospital Nutrition and Dietetics department. This navigator is a dedicated staff member who supports patients and clinicians with virtual care. We expect the role will improve staff skills and workflows, while supporting patients to use virtual care. This project is helping develop a new workforce model that could be sustained and adapted locally and scaled across the health system.
