Australia's medical community pushes to replace fax machines with digital systems
Australia's medical community is increasingly advocating for the elimination of fax machines in favor of digital systems for referrals and documentation. Recent reports highlight inefficiencies and overcharging in the current system, prompting calls for modernization. The federal government plans to introduce legislation requiring real-time uploads of pathology and radiology results to My Health Record. Previously, only half of pathology reports and one in five imaging reports were shared digitally. Efforts to improve digital health include a $1.1 billion investment and a push for better communication between hospitals, GPs, and My Health Record. While most healthcare providers are connected, specialists and aged care providers lag behind in adopting these systems.