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HMS, HAG EQ-Bank 045

Describe two challenges digital health creates for individuals and explain how an individual could respond to reduce each challenge.   (4 marks)

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Answers could include two of the following:

Challenge 1 – Digital literacy barriers
  • Some individuals, particularly older adults, may lack confidence using digital platforms such as My Health Record.
  • Response: An individual could attend digital skills workshops or ask family for support.
Challenge 2 – Privacy and security concerns
  • Sensitive health information stored online can feel unsafe and discourage use.
  • Response: An individual could set strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication and regularly review access permissions in their account settings.

Challenge 3 – Limited internet access

  • People in rural or remote areas may struggle with slow or unreliable internet.
  • Response: Use offline app functions where available, schedule downloads during stronger connection periods or investigate alternative remote broadband suppliers such as Starlink.
Show Worked Solution

Answers could include two of the following:

Challenge 1 – Digital literacy barriers
  • Some individuals, particularly older adults, may lack confidence using digital platforms such as My Health Record.
  • Response: An individual could attend digital skills workshops or ask family for support.
Challenge 2 – Privacy and security concerns
  • Sensitive health information stored online can feel unsafe and discourage use.
  • Response: An individual could set strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication and regularly review access permissions in their account settings.

Challenge 3 – Limited internet access

  • People in rural or remote areas may struggle with slow or unreliable internet.
  • Response: Use offline app functions where available, schedule downloads during stronger connection periods or investigate alternative remote broadband suppliers such as Starlink.

HMS, HAG EQ-Bank 040

Evaluate the impact of digital health on reducing health inequities across Australia.    (8 marks)

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Evaluation Statement

  • Digital health has been partially effective in reducing health inequities across Australia.
  • It has improved access to services and availability of information, but challenges with equity of access and digital literacy remain.
  • This evaluation will consider access improvements and ongoing barriers to fairness.

Access to Services

  • Telehealth has allowed people in rural and remote areas to consult specialists without travelling long distances.
  • This is a critical strength, as it reduces the gap between city and country healthcare.
  • The my health app and My Health Record also give patients instant access to results, prescriptions and vaccination records.
  • Evidence supporting this includes widespread uptake of digital platforms, with 24 million Australians having a My Health Record.
  • These tools strongly meet the goal of improving access and reducing geographic inequities.

Equity and Digital Literacy

  • However, barriers such as poor internet in remote areas, lower digital skills and limited confidence in using health technology reduce fair access.
  • For example, older Australians or those with lower socioeconomic status may struggle to use apps effectively.
  • Concerns about privacy and security also discourage participation.
  • These weaknesses mean digital health only partially fulfils its aim of reducing inequities across all groups.

Final Evaluation

  • Overall, this evaluation demonstrates that digital health makes a valuable but incomplete contribution to reducing health inequities.
  • While strong in expanding access, it is weakened by limited digital literacy and infrastructure gaps.
  • Weighing these factors shows digital health is partially effective and requires further investment in education and connectivity to achieve optimal equity.
Show Worked Solution

Evaluation Statement

  • Digital health has been partially effective in reducing health inequities across Australia.
  • It has improved access to services and availability of information, but challenges with equity of access and digital literacy remain.
  • This evaluation will consider access improvements and ongoing barriers to fairness.

Access to Services

  • Telehealth has allowed people in rural and remote areas to consult specialists without travelling long distances.
  • This is a critical strength, as it reduces the gap between city and country healthcare.
  • The my health app and My Health Record also give patients instant access to results, prescriptions and vaccination records.
  • Evidence supporting this includes widespread uptake of digital platforms, with 24 million Australians having a My Health Record.
  • These tools strongly meet the goal of improving access and reducing geographic inequities.

Equity and Digital Literacy

  • However, barriers such as poor internet in remote areas, lower digital skills and limited confidence in using health technology reduce fair access.
  • For example, older Australians or those with lower socioeconomic status may struggle to use apps effectively.
  • Concerns about privacy and security also discourage participation.
  • These weaknesses mean digital health only partially fulfils its aim of reducing inequities across all groups.

Final Evaluation

  • Overall, this evaluation demonstrates that digital health makes a valuable but incomplete contribution to reducing health inequities.
  • While strong in expanding access, it is weakened by limited digital literacy and infrastructure gaps.
  • Weighing these factors shows digital health is partially effective and requires further investment in education and connectivity to achieve optimal equity.

HMS, HAG EQ-Bank 038

Describe one opportunity and one challenge digital health creates for individuals.   (4 marks)

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Opportunity: Better access

  • One important opportunity of digital health is better access to health services and information.
  • This happens when individuals use telehealth or the my health app to quickly see test results, prescriptions or vaccination records.
  • As a result, people can save time, make informed choices and take greater control of their health.

Challenge: Inequity

  • A key challenge is the risk of systemic inequity.
  • Two examples of inequity are people in rural areas who have poor internet coverage or people with low digital skills who may struggle to use these systems.
  • Consequently, not all individuals benefit equally from digital health services.
Show Worked Solution

Opportunity: Better access

  • One important opportunity of digital health is better access to health services and information.
  • This happens when individuals use telehealth or the my health app to quickly see test results, prescriptions or vaccination records.
  • As a result, people can save time, make informed choices and take greater control of their health.

Challenge: Inequity

  • A key challenge is the risk of systemic inequity.
  • Two examples of inequity are people in rural areas who have poor internet coverage or people with low digital skills who may struggle to use these systems.
  • Consequently, not all individuals benefit equally from digital health services.

HMS, HAG EQ-Bank 054 MC

In addressing digital health inequity, which intervention would most effectively support elderly Australians in remote areas?

  1. Establishing monthly in-person digital health support sessions in community centres.
  2. Providing government-funded tablets with pre-installed health apps to all residents over 65.
  3. Partnering with local health workers to provide ongoing digital literacy training using existing devices.
  4. Installing public internet kiosks in remote towns for accessing health records.
Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Local health workers providing ongoing training leverages existing trusted relationships and ensures sustainable support that addresses digital literacy.

Other options:

  • A is incorrect: Monthly sessions are too infrequent for elderly users learning new skills and may be inaccessible for those with mobility issues.
  • B is incorrect: Devices without training or internet infrastructure fail to address the core barriers of connectivity and digital literacy.
  • D is incorrect: Public kiosks raise privacy concerns for health information and don’t address the need for digital skills or home access.

HMS, HAG EQ-Bank 050 MC

Which combination of factors represents the most significant barrier to equitable access to digital health services in rural Australia?

  1. Language barriers and cultural differences
  2. Lack of smartphone ownership and resistance to change
  3. Privacy concerns and cost of technology
  4. Unreliable internet connectivity and lower digital literacy
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\(D\)

Show Worked Solution
  • D is correct: These are the most significant barriers because rural Australians cannot access digital health services without stable internet and many lack the skills to effectively use these technologies.

Other options:

  • A is incorrect: These are factors but not the most significant for rural areas
  • B is incorrect: Smartphone ownership is less of an issue than connectivity
  • C is incorrect: Cost and privacy affect all areas, not specifically rural

HMS, HAG EQ-Bank 049 MC

According to recent data, approximately what percentage of Australians with My Health Records have actually viewed their digital health information?

  1. 25%
  2. 50%
  3. 75%
  4. 95%
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\(A\)

Show Worked Solution
  • A is correct: Only one-quarter of Australians with access have actually looked at their digital health records. 

HMS, HAG 2016 HSC 5 MC

Which of the following is a health benefit of using emerging technologies for health care in Australia?

  1. Reduced expenditure in medical research
  2. Reduced costs of medical treatment for individuals
  3. Faster recovery of patients from less-invasive procedures
  4. Increased availability of medical services in regional and remote areas
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\(D\)

Show Worked Solution

Note: The solution to this question in 2016 was C but since the advent of online services such as telehealth, the impact of the technological benefits has changed.

  • D is correct: Technologies like telehealth increase medical service access in remote areas.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Technology typically increases research costs, not reduces them.
  • B is incorrect: New technologies often increase individual treatment costs initially.
  • C is incorrect: While true, this isn’t the primary benefit highlighted.