A report in the last week states that ‘Best Practice Software’- A GP desktop software vendor has released their latest piece of software that allows GP’s to finally upload documents onto the PCEHR’s of their patients (McDonald, 2013). This is a huge step forward for the eHealth initiative, and a much needed boost for things to really get rolling. All of the other software vendors involved in the National e-Health Transition Authority’s (NEHTA) have also released their versions of this software which spells a win for the possibility of a viable e-Health system.
Further McDonald (2013) states that the government will now finally begin its advertising campaign around PCEHRs and the eHealth initiative in Australia, including television commercials. Some (including this blogger) might say this is a long overdue step in the right direction given that the level of those signed up for a PCEHR is still disparagingly low, at about 160,000 (Wong, 2013). Given that we are now a country of 23 Million, this is not comforting. The beginning of an effective advertising campaign and the implementation of this software in doctor’s officies, hospitals, allied healthcare offices and of course pharmacies can only be a good combination for furthering this cause. The sooner we get to see the real landscape of eHealth in Australia and all of its possibilities, the more effective it can become as a truly integrating and game changing practice. Something that we as training health professionals will be able to look forward to being a part of in the future.
References
McDonald, K. (2013) PCEHR- enabled Best Practive now available. Pulse+It Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.pulseitmagazine.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1400:pcehr-enabled-best-practice-now-available&catid=16:australian-ehealth&Itemid=327 on 27/04/13
Wong, M. (2013) Potential for big data through PCEHR. Pulse+It Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.pulseitmagazine.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1393:potential-for-big-data-through-the-pcehr&catid=16:australian-ehealth&Itemid=327 on 27/04/13
E-Health Blog 2013 
So glad to hear that advertising will commence! Before I began researching E-Health for this blog, I didn’t know much about it at all. I had come across E-Scripts through my work in pharmacy but PCEHR was all new to me. I’m sure I am not the only one! Despite my blogs on the flaws of the current E-Health system, I do find it to be a great concept and I think that it’s a shame that it isn’t yet widely taken up by the Australian community. I know that it’s an opt-in system and not everyone will want to participate (that’s another issue), but surely when it was more widely advertised more people would get involved. Like you said ceomeara89, I think that this is long overdue but a great step for E-Health!