Digital media is used in community services and the health sector in the following ways:
web-based information (in particular websites which may contain consumer-focused information such as information and newsletters, plus internal documentation for use by staff such as policies and procedures)
email (internal and external official communication channel)
social media (publicity and social sites for connecting with consumers, family and others)
podcasts and videos (this information can be housed on a website and maybe internally focused, such as training videos for staff or externally focused with podcasts of interest to consumers)
tablets and applications (these may be used in the facility as a means of engaging consumers with technology, additionally they may be used in a professional setting for staff)
newsletters and broadcasts (these may be internal for staff consumption or external for consumers, family and friends)
intranet (typically an internal network which allows staff to access important information, policies and procedures plus access to documents and consumer files).
Reference: The Medical Device Research Institute, Flinders University and the Aged Care Industry IT Council (ACIITC) have put together a paper called the Aged Care Technology Roadmap. The paper addresses the need for facilities to use digital technologies to help improve efficiencies for staff and the overall experience for residents. By the end of this course, you will have covered the types of documentation and reporting and their importance with some digital examples of what they could look like.
