Conference workshop sessions will provide an opportunity for stakeholder groups to share their perspectives about the design and implementation planning for the PCEHR system. These sessions are part of the ongoing dialogue critical to the successful development and introduction of e-health in Australia.

There will be five separate workshops. At each, the same key themes will be discussed by a cross-section of stakeholder representatives drawn from consumers, healthcare providers, industry and government representatives.

Audience participation will be sought in each workshop, which will run for 75 minutes.

Workshop 1 – Where are we? Opportunities afforded by the PCEHR system

Panel members will discuss what they understand from their stakeholder perspective to be the key questions that need discussion as part of the implementation planning for the PCEHR system. Additionally, participants will be invited to discuss themes including privacy, consent, governance, scope and sustainability.

Workshop 2 – Making the PCEHR system work: Opportunities and Actions

Building on the first workshop, panelists will present their views about what is needed to “get down to business” so that people can begin using the PCEHR system from July 2012. Participants will be invited to discuss practicalities such as possible systems that may be ready to connect, data sources that can be used, legislation questions and change management frameworks.

Innovative projects showcase

These sessions will showcase what is already happening in e-health in pockets across Australia, With a focus on online technologies, these innovative projects will demonstrate how e-health is already delivering benefits across the health care sector. Demonstrations will include embedded video footage of live scenario case studies. Participants will be involved in discussions focusing implementation practicalities and lessons to be shared.