Consumer Bites

The newsletter of the Health Care Consumers’ Association Inc.
Volume 12/ Issue 03/ 22 May 2025

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Update from the Office
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all around us these days. It’s on your phone with Siri, and on your computer browser, searching information for you in Google. It’s in your homes if you have Alexa or Google Home, on your social media, and in customer service when you get connected to a ‘bot’ to answer your questions before you can ask to ‘speak to a human!’.

Here at HCCA we have started to notice AI becoming part of the way health care is provided, and our members have told us that AI has become part of their GP and specialist appointments. So, what does this look like?

Some clinics in the ACT are now using AI programs summarise health appointments. It’s like having a scribe listening and taking notes during your appointment. It then creates a summary (which becomes part of your patient notes) of what’s been discussed at the end.

This tool is becoming increasingly popular with GPs and Specialists because they often have limited time in or between appointments to make notes. They are often trying to multi-task between listening, examining, typing a referral, printing a pathology request or prescription, taking notes, answering urgent calls and preparing for appointments.

AI can be good for consumers too. It can record information more quickly than a person can - it can ensure the health professional is recording all your concerns and not missing things you’ve said. AI has ‘machine-learning’ -it can learn and improve from feedback- and it can interpret themes and extrapolate information from what you have said. It is immediate, and you can ask for a copy of your appointment summary.

However, there are some consumer concerns with the use of AI.  Health professionals must be transparent whether and how they use it, and what happens to people’s personal information. It’s important that consumers can review the information AI collects and summarises about them, to make sure it is correct. This is another part of healthcare where consumers need to give informed consent about the use of AI in appointments.

A health professional using AI should:

  • be clear and transparent that they are using an AI program to record the information in the appointment and get your consent.
  • identify which program they are using and how this program handles your sensitive information.
  • ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained and access to your information is not shared without your consent.

Have you had any experience with AI being used at your health appointments? HCCA would love to hear about your experience! You can share it by emailing [email protected] (or let us know if you would like a call). Members can look out for a forum on this topic, later in the year.

Kate Gorman
Deputy Director

 

In this Issue

  • Upcoming HCCA Events
  • Health Literacy Update
  • Chronic Conditions Network Update
  • Consumer Involvement and Representative Opportunities
  • Items of Interest
 

Upcoming HCCA Events

Finding Good Health Information Online 

Thursday 27 February, 10:30am – 12pm
Online via Zoom

It can be hard to find health information that is safe and reliable online. There are many websites claiming to share information that will help improve your health or even ‘cure’ serious health conditions. It’s important to know how to spot a website that might be misleading you and how to double check health claims online.

In this online session, we will discuss:

  • What to look for when searching for health information
  • Warning signs of misleading websites and links
  • How to check health information from searches, social media and news
  • Some known trusted website for health information

You can add a question when you register for a ticket or send it through to [email protected]. Email us if you would like to receive the recording of this session.

Register for [Event] on Humanitix

HCCA Consumer Participation Training (Online Only)

Monday 17 March, 6pm - 8pm
Online via Zoom

All are welcome to attend this free training!

This training is designed for anyone who uses health services and would like to learn more about the health system, and how to advocate for improvements within the system.

Consumer representatives are the voice of your community in the health system. Learn how you can participate and become a representative in this online training session run by the Health Care Consumers Association. In this training, you will learn more about:

  • Health advocacy for yourself and loved ones
  • Systemic advocacy for your community
  • How to become a consumer representative on a health service committee, and the skills and knowledge needed for this role

All are welcome to attend this free training! 

Time: 6pm -8pm

Dates: 

  • Monday 17 March (Part 1)
  • Monday 24 March (Part 2)
  • Monday 31 March (Part 3)

Location: Online via Zoom 

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact HCCA by email at [email protected] or phone on 02 6230 7800

Register for Event on Humanitix

Plan for tomorrow, live for today: Advance Care Planning Week

Tuesday 18 March, 1pm - 3pm
Majura Hall 2 Rosevear Pl, Dickson ACT 2602, Australia

What would you want if you could not speak for yourself?

Advance Care Planning Week is an opportunity to understand and document your choices for health care and end-of-life care if there comes a time when you can’t make your own decisions. Join HCCA and Northside Community Services for an afternoon of conversation to help you know what your choices are and plan ahead so you can live for today.

How it will run

You will join a table of 6-7 other people. Presenters will join your table and tell you about their area of expertise then you can ask questions. The presenters will then rotate to the next table so you can hear about each topic. Topics will include:

  • Advance Care Planning with Canberra Health Services
  • Finding the right aged care with Northside's Care Finder
  • Aged care and finances with Service Australia
  • Voluntary Assisted Dying in the ACT
  • And more to be announced!

We will provide a light afternoon tea. Contact [email protected] or call 02 6230 7800 with any questions.

Register for Event on Humanitix
 

Health Literacy Update

This fortnight, the team were happy to be out and about again, engaging with the community. C presented ‘Managing Your Medicines’ for carers on a Carers ACT retreat. They were supported by our pharmacist friends from North Canberra. C also ran a session on Advance Care Planning for a group at Dementia Australia.

Both C & Ivapene attended radio interviews to top off the week. C’s interview was pre-recorded with Radio 1RPH. They talked about the Disability Health Literacy project that HCCA is leading. You can listen to the interview here.

Ivapene was invited to the Pacific Voices program on the Canberra Multicultural Service Radio (CMS FM9.91) where she talked to the hosts Elena Sione and Nick Palm about the work of HCCA, and what we do to help community navigate the health system. She also talked about a few services Multicultural Hub Canberra provides to support the multicultural community: Non-violence program for men: https://mhub.org.au/cald-mens-non-violence-behaviour-program/ and training sessions on safeTALKS and Mental Health First Aid: https://mhub.org.au/training-workshops/

QUM Project - New resources for Antidepressants in Older People

HCCA’s work continues on our Using Medicines for Better Health Project. A range of resources can be accessed through our Consumer Hub for Quality Use of Medicines.

Visit the updated Antidepressants in Older People topic page to access:

  • Depression and Anxiety in Life: Getting Back to Feeling Well
  • My Antidepressant Deprescribing Plan, and
  • Our newest resource: Do I still need my antidepressant? 5 questions to ask

Stay tuned for more resources on Antidepressants in Older People coming soon!

— the Health Literacy team
(C and Ivapene)

 

Chronic Conditions Network Update

It's been a very busy two weeks for Michelle, completing the very first ‘Chronic Conditions Network’ collaborative ACT Budget Submission. Michelle put a call out to all the community-based health organisations in the Network and received lots of great feedback about the key funding priorities for organisations which support people living with chronic health conditions in the 2025-2026 ACT budget.

This proved to be a great exercise in identifying the shared goals across the Network and drew out the synergies between organisations. For example, there are some equity and access barriers for consumers to get GPs to prescribe schedule 100 medications for the treatment of Hepatitis B. The same kinds of equity and access barriers exist for consumers trying to get schedule 8 medications for ADHD. Totally different medications and conditions - exact same barriers! This is what we love about the Chronic Conditions Network. We can work together coming from our different areas of expertise but advocate for systemic change that will benefit everyone.

— Michelle
(Chronic Conditions Network Coordinator)

 

Consumer Involvement and Representative Opportunities

Please visit Consumer Opportunities on the HCCA website to learn more about, and nominate for, any of the following opportunities.

 
ACT Opportunities
Capital Health Network - Clinical Advisory Council

Closing date: 13 March 2025

Capital Health Network is looking for a consumer representative to join the Capital Health Network Clinical Advisory Council. The role of the council is to provide advice and feedback to the Capital Health Network (CHN) Board and management about CHN key projects, commissioning initiatives, and strategic objectives. The Clinical Council provide recommendations to the Board on key Commonwealth deliverables and initiatives relating to CHNs priority areas. The council meets minimum 4 times per year in person or online.

To learn more or nominate, please visit Consumer Opportunities

Capital Health Network - Community Advisory Council

Closing date: 13 March 2025

Capital Health Network (CHN) is looking for two consumer representatives to join the Capital Health Network Community Advisory Council. The role of the community council is to provide recommendations/advice to the CHN Board and the CEO on community priority health needs and service gaps. The council also assesses if CHN activities, strategies and initiatives are consumer-focused (based on consumer feedback and preferences). The Community Advisory Council will also work with CHN’s Advisory Councils and, other community consultation mechanisms via ACT health. The Community Advisory Council meets minimum four times per year in person or online. Each meeting may last 2-3 hours.

To learn more or nominate, please visit Consumer Opportunities

Canberra Health Services Bariatric Surgery Advisory Committee

Closing date: 13 March 2025

Canberra Health Services is looking for a consumer representative to join the Bariatric Surgery Advisory Committee (BSAC). The role of BSAC is to evaluate whether patients are suitable for publicly funded metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS), specifically laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), to help with weight loss and related health benefits. BSAC members will review summaries of patients referred for MBS, advise on patient suitability for MBS, monitor key performance Indicators, wait times, number of surgeries performed per financial year, average length of stay and post-operative outcomes. Meetings are held in person approximately every two months.

To learn more or nominate, please visit Consumer Opportunities

Canberra Health Services Policy Document Review Panel

Closing date: 13 March 2025

Canberra Health Services is looking for a consumer representative to join the Policy Document Review Panel. The panel’s role is to provide advice to guide policy development. The panel provides oversight of CHS policy documents reviews evaluations of high-risk documents with any relevant lessons learned fed back to divisions, committees or working groups. The panel makes sure policies are person centred, evidence-based and focused on the needs of consumers and carers, as well as aligning with legislation and other requirements (e.g., National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards). The panel meets once a month on every fourth Wednesday.

To learn more or nominate, please visit Consumer Opportunities

 

Items of Interest

Imagining Better 1: Now is the time for vision

Having a clear vision for your life is a powerful and beneficial practice for everyone. It is even more essential for individuals who face stigma and low societal expectations. Families and people with disability have learned that a clearly defined, well-articulated vision is a critical tool in creating a full, meaningful and inclusive life. A strong vision provides focus, direction and resilience in the face of societal barriers and setbacks.

  • Is your family member with a disability—of any age—thinking about the next stage of life?
  • Is it time to develop or refine a transition plan for a family member?
  • Has your child recently aged out—or is about to age out—of the education system?
  • Are you a person with a disability who wants to build a fulfilling adult life based on your own choices?

Then, this is your time for vision!

📅 Workshop Dates:

✅ Theory Workshop – Tuesday, 4 March, 9:30–11:30 am AEDT

✅ Interactive Workshop 1 – Tuesday, 11 March, 9:30–11:30am AEDT

✅ Interactive Workshop 2 – Tuesday, 18 March, 9:30–11:30am AEDT

This workshop is highly recommended for families with young children with disabilities, but it is valuable for anyone supporting a loved one in building an independent and fulfilling life.

For more information and registration, visit their events page: https://imaginemore.org.au/events/

 
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**FREE interpreter services available over the phone via the Australian Government’s Translation and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450**

© 2025 Health Care Consumers' Association Inc, All rights reserved. Edited by Darlene Cox.

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Consumer Bites is the newsletter of the Health Care Consumers' Association. Consumer Bites provides a small snippet of health related articles our members might find interesting to consider and analyse. The HCCA does not endorse any opinions or the claims contained within the articles.

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