Rural and remote communities across Australia are set to benefit from new national standards designed to help local health services make the most of digital technology.

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) has released its updated Practice Standard for Digitally Connected Rural and Remote Communities, a practical guide to help communities, healthcare organisations, and clinicians design and deliver safe, high-quality digital health services that meet local needs.

ACRRM Digital Health Committee Chair Dr Christopher Pearce says the new standards are about making sure digital health strengthens — not replaces — the trusted, personal care rural communities rely on.

“Rural and remote Australians deserve the same quality of healthcare as people living in cities,” Dr Pearce says. “These standards show how digital tools like telehealth, electronic prescribing, and better data sharing can connect people to care in ways that are safe, culturally appropriate, and community driven.”

The standards emphasise:

  • Community engagement – Local people must be involved in the planning, design, and evaluation of digital health solutions.
  • Person-centred care – Patients must understand how digital technologies are being used in their treatment.
  • Continuity and safety – Rural communities must receive the right balance of technology-supported and in-person care to ensure safety and quality.
  • Cultural appropriateness – Services must respect community expectations and First Nations perspectives.
  • Environmental realities – Services must be resilient to connectivity issues, weather events, and infrastructure challenges.

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says the standards reflect the College’s longstanding leadership in digital health.

“From pioneering telehealth services to embedding digital health into our training curriculum, ACRRM has always led the way in harnessing technology to benefit rural and remote communities,” Dr Martin says.

“These guidelines will support local health services, aged care providers, and community organisations to invest in the right infrastructure and build models of care that work for their people.

The Practice Standard for Digitally Connected Rural and Remote Communities is available on the ACRRM website