“Go for it, make the difference you want to make and back yourself”
... these were the take-away messages from panellists at the Brilliant Connected Women in Digital Health (BCWinDH) Network event hosted by Telstra Health and attended by around 100 guests in Melbourne and Sydney, with more tuning in online from around Australia.
The event was promoted as a networking event and professional development opportunity that was open to BCWinDH Network members, and Telstra Health staff and stakeholders of every gender.
ABC Medical Reporter Sophie Scott facilitated a panel discussion which focused on the existing challenges in the health care sector, career wisdom, personal and professional learnings, and the changing expectations of health consumers.
Secretary for Digital and NSW Department of Customer Service, Emma Hogan, reflected on the ease to which workforces ramped up to respond to the pandemic and the more challenging task we’re currently facing of coming down from the adrenaline high of the past two years.
When panellists were asked what’s next for digital health, Emma talked about the potential role of the metaverse in healthcare in the longer term.
“The metaverse today is what social media was 10 years ago. We need to think about 3D and 4D experiences people could have in the metaverse and how do we do this in a regulated and safe way,” Emma said.
When asked what advice they would give to their younger selves, Emma said, “If I could go back to my 30-year-old self, I would say 'it’s ok to change'. Don’t limit your own beliefs about what you’re capable of and don’t convince yourself others have limited beliefs in you, as it’s not necessarily true.”
“There are lots of people who give you advice as a human…back yourself,” said Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr Jill Tomlinson, who is also Vice President of the Australian Medical Association Victoria.
Partner at EY Port Jackson Partners and former Secretary of the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, Kym Peake, said she lives by the mantra ‘listen, learn and lead’.
“In addition to kindness and compassion, I think the one other trait that is incredibly important [as a leader] is the ability to bring people together to create a learning system,” she said.
Kym added it’s important for anyone working in the public service to focus on why you’re here and how you want to make the world better.
“Go for it, make the difference you want to make and back yourself,” Kym added.
“You’re not in these jobs for a long time and doing them in a cautious, risk-adverse way? Well, what’s the point,” she said.
You can watch the full panel discussion here.