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Digital Health
digital
Unlocking the Potential of Digital Health in Aotearoa
Digital technologies now connect people across Aotearoa more than ever, yet their potential to improve population health remains underutilised. This presents significant opportunities for adopting innovative digital health solutions. Collaborative Aotearoa is committed to accelerating progress by fostering learning and leveraging these technologies.
Telehealth, defined as healthcare delivered via digital technology across time or distance, is a key focus. We view telehealth as a valuable tool to enhance accessibility, particularly for remote and high-needs populations. By supporting standardisation, provider training, patient empowerment, and robust digital infrastructure, we aim to ensure telehealth strengthens continuity of care and improves outcomes nationwide.
This page is designed to support sector partners by providing insights into the digital health space, offering resources, and highlighting key initiatives and projects across the industry. By sharing knowledge and promoting collaboration, we aim to empower the sector to harness digital health innovations effectively and drive meaningful change.
Do you know the difference between RPA and AI?
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer powerful opportunities to transform primary and community care.
RPA handles repetitive, rule-based tasks—like data entry or appointment scheduling—freeing up staff for higher-value work. AI, on the other hand, simulates human thinking to support complex decision-making, such as triaging patients or analysing health data.
Together, they have the potential to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and improve system efficiency. While RPA focuses on “doing” tasks efficiently, AI brings the “thinking” to processes that require insight. Used thoughtfully, these technologies can enhance care delivery, reduce clinician burden, and enable a more responsive, people-centred health system.
Download the RPA vs AI Comparison Chart to understand the difference functions of RPA and AI.
General Practice Recommended Telehealth Codes - Draft for Consultation
The recommended codes outlined in draft are provisional and will be continuously reviewed in collaboration with key stakeholders,
Joint Media release - Round 2 AI survey
AI in Primary care survey conducted between 31 Jan and 28 Feb 2025 revealed an increase in AI adoption across general practice Aotearoa
The Digital Health Association publishes member media releases, relevant sector and Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand updates, HiNZ’s eHealth news, and their own media releases. Click below to learn more.
Health New Zealand, Te Whatu Ora, provides extensive information on digital health, including the use of digital technologies and accessible data to help New Zealanders manage their health and well-being.
Click down below to learn more.
eHealthNews.nz is a dedicated news service for the digital health sector. Published by Health Informatics New Zealand (HiNZ). It showcases news and views about digital health in New Zealand.
The NZ Telehealth Resource Centre brings together guidance and resources that support health providers to implement and grow their telehealth services. In addition, check out their latest news.
The RNZCGP published their revised Specialist GP Telehealth Consultation Position Statement, developed through discussions with experts, and literature review to clearly articulate the College’s stance on specific topics.
CIO Studio was formed specifically to help New Zealand businesses transform through better strategic use of technology. They offer the industry updates, tech news, and free Digital Digest newsletter, curated by their CIO advisors.
VIEWPOINT - AI-Generated Clinical Summaries Require More Than Accuracy
Katherine E. Goodman, JD, PhD
Department of Epidemiology and
Public Health, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore; and The University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing, North Bethesda.
23 Feb 2024
Read Full Article here
Asthma Trial - Dr Amy Chan, Professor Partha Roop and Professor Jeff Harrison
This research aims to develop a prediction model for asthma attacks, by capturing changes in the body that may happen before an attack occurs, using smart devices such as smartwatches. The data will then be used with machine learning to look at developing new ways to predict asthma attacks.
More Information on Asthma Trial and Eligibility
Real-time Assessment of mood changes and machine learning (MoodAI): Associate Professors: Frederick Sundram, Partha Roop, and Amy Chan
This study is looking to capture certain physiological and audio aspects from
those with mild to moderate depression referred by their GPs. These audio and physiological aspects will be captured through the use of study provided smartphones and smartwatches.
More Information on MoodAI Study
What is Collab Coach?
Collab Coach is a self-management tool that helps health professionals support patient self-care and habit-building for better health outcomes. This home-based app personalises each patient’s journey, equipping them with tools to develop sustainable health habits, reducing the need for ongoing clinical intervention.
Long-Term Condition Project Pilot
Collaborative Aotearoa are delighted to deliver a pilot project that aims to integrate innovative technology into clinical practice to support and enable behaviour change within patients with long-term conditions. This project seeks to support the extended care team (specifically health coaches, kaiawhina and nurses with LTC special interest) in delivering a coaching-based (relational) model of care for patients with long-term conditions.
The pilot will focus on a selected patient population with long-term conditions across the partner networks. The technology platform will:
- Provide tools to enhance patient interactions, shared decision-making, and personalised care/action planning.
- Be integrated into current workflows using Medtech Evolution via ALEX to minimize workflow disruption.
- Include data capture and analytics to monitor patient progress and outcomes.
This effort is a collaborative partnership between Collaborative Aotearoa, Health Hawke’s Bay, Whanganui Regional Health Network, and THINK Hauora.
Click here: Information Sheet for Health Professionals
Collab Coach is currently available only to whānau whose health professionals are connected with Health Hawke’s Bay Network, Whanganui Regional Health Network, and THINK Hauora Network.
Click here: Information Sheet for Whānau
NOTE: Collab Coach is currently available only available to whānau whose health professionals are connected with Health Hawke’s Bay, Whanganui Regional Health Network, and THINK Hauora.
Are you aware of the different Telehealth providers in Aotearoa?
updates
New Zealand Telehealth Forum
As part of understanding what has been going on across the country to develop telehealth services, The New Zealand Telehealth Leadership Group (NZTLG) has launched a National Telehealth Register to collate and disseminate information on current or completed work undertaken on telehealth. National Telehealth Register Registration form
We have joined the Primary and Integrated Care ‘NZ Telehealth’ working Group and the Community of Practice ‘NZ Telehealth’ working group. We can now pass on any relevant updates or if you would like to join us on any of these groups (or have others in your PHO interested) please email admin@collab.org.nz.
Cici Xu, Health Coach at Newtown Medical Centre.“My role [Health Coach] is to assist the doctors and nurses to help their patients achieve their goals. Many patients have multiple requirements, and doctors’ time is limited. They want to be able to help their patients, but it’s not practical, timewise. That’s where I can come in.”
Bruce, 56 MaleWhile away on holiday, Bruce presented to A&E with stomach pain. When he returned to his hometown, he called his GP who ordered a colonoscopy and CT scan over the phone. Within 24 hours of having the tests done, Bruce was able to access his test results via ManageMyHealth.
“By giving us the information, it actually makes me really aware of my health. It’s like getting ownership of my own health.”
“We like to travel around in our caravan, so the app means we can be anywhere in NZ or Australia and still get the results from any procedures”