A key priority for Health Translation SA, is the development of a digitally enabled Learning Health System (LHS) in South Australia.
Learning Health Systems effectively use routine health practice data (from service delivery and patient care) to generate knowledge that leads to iterative and ongoing cycles of health care improvement. A critical enabler of a LHS is a workforce empowered with the skills and capabilities needed to best use the rich supply of healthcare data to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
To this end, Health Translation SA (HTSA) is partnering with Digital Health SA (DHSA) and the Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health Care (CEIH) to address this challenge.
Digital health has become a vital part of a modern, accessible healthcare system designed to meet the needs of all Australians requiring a workforce who can use existing and emerging datasets to make insight-driven decisions.
The purpose of this project is to:
- identify the knowledge and skills needed to develop a data literate and insight-driven health workforce (different levels e.g., clinicians, executives etc.)
- map current training opportunities available locally and online
- identify and define training gaps
- develop a strategy and/or options/recommendations for how to fill those training gaps
- develop a visible training pathway (and possible resource) to better enable data competency across the breadth of the health and medical workforce.
A steering committee comprised of representatives from Health Translation SA (HTSA); Digital Health SA (DHSA) and the Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health Care (CEIH) will oversee the strategic direction and implementation of the project.
Project Steering Committee
- Dr Ecushla Linedale (Chair)
Deputy CEO
Health Translation SA - Wendy Keech
CEO
Health Translation SA - Dr Santosh Verghese
Chief Medical Information Officer, Digital Health SA
Department of Health and Wellbeing - Tina Hardin
Executive Director, Clinical Informatics
Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health - Natasha Kowalczuk
Interim Clinical Business Change Manager
Digital Health SA - Paula Georgieff
Project Manager
Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health
The project is structured in phases commencing 1 August 2022 and concluding in July 2023. Objectives and deliverables will be set by the steering committee quarterly, to ensure the project adapts and delivers the intended outcomes.

Project Lead
Dr Donella Piper
Senior Data Fellow, Health Translation SA
donella.piper@healthtranslationsa.org.au