Technologies aid early disease diagnosis

The fifth annual e-Health Research Colloquium, which commences today in Brisbane, will be told that new imaging technologies have brought forward the detection of Alzheimer’s disease by about 18 months.

The event, which is hosted by the Australian e-Health Research Centre (AEHRC), showcases recent trends and developments in health-related information and communications technologies (ICT) as they move from the research phase into clinical adoption and practice.

CSIRO e-Health Theme Leader Dr David Hansen said: “An ICT-enabled healthcare system is a national priority.

“Recent studies show that e-health initiatives, such as electronic health records, will lead to better health outcomes, as well as increasing Australia's GDP by $7.5–8.7 billion per annum within 10 years."

The Alzheimer’s imaging research is one of several projects from the Australian E-Health Research Centre to feature at tomorrow’s colloquium. Others include:

• Tools for developing and using common clinical terminologies which will underpin the use of electronic health records to better manage patients. 
• Chronic disease prevention and management, using technology such as sensors and mobile phones to monitor people’s vital signs and activity levels.
• Software that will reduce bottlenecks in hospital emergency departments by better predicting how many patients will present and their expected medical needs. 
• Training of the future workforce to perform colonoscopies, using a next-generation colonoscopy simulator.

Speakers include the Chief Information Officer from the Ministry of Health Holdings in Singapore, Dr Sarah Muttitt, and the CEO of the National e-Health Transition Authority, Peter Fleming.