Looking back on digital health and innovation in Australian general practice

BACKGROUND: Over the last 3 decades, Australian general practice has undergone profound digital transformation. From handwritten prescriptions and paper files to comprehensive practice management systems, each technological wave has promised efficiency while introducing new layers of complexity. OBJECTIVE: Over the last 3 decades, Australian general practice has undergone profound digital transformation. From handwritten prescriptions and paper files to comprehensive practice management systems, each technological wave has promised efficiency while introducing new layers of complexity. DISCUSSION: The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst, embedding telehealth and e-prescriptions as core elements of routine care. The emergence of cloud systems and artificial intelligence represents a new frontier, offering opportunities to streamline workflows and refocus care on the patient. Drawing lessons from past implementation efforts, this paper argues that success will depend on designing technologies grounded in usability, interoperability, equity and trust to ensure that innovation strengthens rather than fragments the therapeutic relationship.