Innovative digital health solutions: Improving healthcare outcomes in underserved communities

The healthcare sector is undergoing a major shift, with digital technology driving new ways to deliver care, especially for populations that have traditionally lacked access. In Australia, Telstra Health is leading the charge to bring consistent healthcare to remote areas.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., CHESS Health is helping individuals with substance use disorders stay on the path to recovery with digital support tools. These two cases offer a glimpse into how modern tech is improving outcomes, streamlining workflows, and strengthening care coordination.

Closing gaps in remote Australian care

Australia’s geography makes delivering quality healthcare a complex challenge, particularly for remote and Indigenous populations. Telstra Health, a division of the telecom giant Telstra, has been actively working to address this issue through its Communicare platform—a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system tailored for primary and community healthcare providers.

One of Communicare’s standout features is its offline capability. Healthcare workers can access and update patient records in real time, even without an internet connection. When connectivity is restored, data syncs automatically, ensuring seamless record-keeping. This feature has been especially valuable for clinics and mobile health units working in rural regions where consistent internet access cannot be guaranteed.

Communicare supports multidisciplinary care teams, allowing them to collaborate effectively by providing a complete picture of a patient’s health journey. The platform also includes modules for transport management and reporting, helping organizations manage logistics and meet compliance requirements tied to government or grant-based funding.

Enhancing data interoperability and virtual care

To improve care coordination and interoperability, Telstra Health partnered with Smile Digital Health to build a Clinical Data Repository using FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) standards. This repository enables secure, real-time data exchange between healthcare providers, helping to reduce duplicate testing and treatment delays.

In addition, Telstra Health launched Australia’s first FHIR-native Virtual Health Platform, allowing healthcare services to be delivered more flexibly and efficiently. Because this platform is natively FHIR-compliant, it eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming data translation. The result is more consistent, connected care that can adapt to patient needs whether they’re seen in person, via telehealth, or in mixed models of care.

These innovations position Telstra Health as a leader in digital transformation within the Australian healthcare system. The organization continues to invest in tools like the Health Information Exchange (HIE) and its Smart Connected Care suite to build a more modern and responsive healthcare infrastructure.

Digital recovery tools in the US

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Outreach Community Health Centers (OCHC) and CHESS Health are collaborating to combat substance use disorders using digital tools. CHESS Health, founded from academic research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, focuses on improving mental health and addiction recovery through technology. The organization is one of several profiles on established health tech companies that are addressing the opioid and substance use crisis in innovative ways.

A central part of this initiative is the Connections app, a peer-assisted recovery support tool designed by CHESS Health. The app includes features like virtual peer support meetings, moderated online communities, 24/7 crisis assistance, and an extensive resource library. For patients, it provides a sense of connection and continuous support that doesn’t rely solely on scheduled appointments or available staff.

OCHC also uses CHESS Health’s Rewards Engine, an automated contingency management tool that provides tangible incentives for positive behaviors, such as attending therapy sessions and remaining abstinent. This method is part of a growing body of evidence supporting behavioral interventions in addiction treatment. It’s also noteworthy that this marks the first non-VA contingency management program targeting cocaine and methamphetamine use in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Community impact and 24/7 access

The CHESS-OCHC collaboration highlights how digital recovery tools can bridge treatment gaps in underserved communities. OCHC serves many Milwaukee neighborhoods that face financial hardship and a lack of access to comprehensive behavioral health services. For these clients, the 24/7 availability of the Connections app offers a vital support line during evenings, weekends, and other times when clinical staff may not be accessible.

According to Annie Carrell, Director of Behavioral Health at OCHC, the program has already shown meaningful engagement. Clients appreciate the convenience and continuity the app provides, and many have responded positively to the Rewards Engine. These tools have become a key part of OCHC’s evidence-based approach, supporting not just individual recovery but also the broader health of the community.

CHESS Health CEO Hans Morefield notes that their technology was specifically designed to be user-friendly and accessible. With its origins in academic research, CHESS has always aimed to translate science into tools that work in real-life clinical and community settings.

Embracing innovation and collaboration

Innovation in digital health isn’t just about flashy new tech—it’s about solving real-world problems. Both Telstra Health and CHESS Health develop their solutions with user input at the center. For example, Telstra Health’s CareKeeper app was created after staff in aged care facilities voiced a need for more time with residents and less time doing paperwork. The result was a mobile solution that reduced administrative burden and improved resident care.

CHESS Health takes a similar approach, evolving its app based on client feedback and the experiences of partnering health organizations like OCHC. This focus on real-world use cases ensures that digital tools don’t just exist—they’re effective and easy to integrate into existing workflows.

Open architecture and strategic partnerships are also essential to both organizations. Telstra Health’s systems can integrate with other platforms, making it easier for clinics and public agencies to connect without overhauling their tech. CHESS Health, on the other hand, builds community-based partnerships that allow them to deliver tailored recovery solutions to different regions and populations.

Opportunities and future directions in digital health

As digital health continues to grow, opportunities are emerging across multiple sectors—from chronic disease management and preventative care to mental health and rehabilitation. One promising trend is the rise of predictive analytics and AI-powered decision support, which can help clinicians personalize care plans and identify high-risk patients earlier.

Another key area is the integration of digital health records across systems and borders. Telstra Health’s work on interoperability offers a model for how different care providers—from hospitals to mobile clinics—can access consistent patient information. This is crucial in both emergency settings and for long-term care coordination.

Meanwhile, CHESS Health’s focus on behavioral health highlights the value of sustained digital engagement. Recovery isn’t linear, and digital tools can offer non-judgmental, constant companionship on the journey. These digital health company spotlights underscore the growing recognition that digital support tools are not just adjuncts to care—they’re becoming essential elements of modern healthcare delivery.

Both Australia and the United States are seeing increased interest from government agencies and private investors in expanding access to digital health. This includes funding pilot programs, investing in telehealth infrastructure, and offering incentives for health systems that adopt technology designed to improve patient outcomes and reduce disparities.

A shared vision for the future

Both companies aim to create a healthcare system where no one is left behind. Telstra is using smart data to improve provider-patient communication, while CHESS is expanding its eRecovery tools to support long-term treatment success.

Their approaches differ—Telstra focuses on system-wide data sharing, and CHESS targets behavioral health—but both aim for care that’s accessible, efficient, and centered on the patient. Digital tools are proving essential in solving healthcare challenges. From reaching remote communities in Australia to offering 24/7 recovery support in Milwaukee, technology is closing gaps in care.

Telstra Health and CHESS Health show how thoughtful, evidence-based innovation can make healthcare more responsive and accessible. Spotlighting leading digital health companies and examining profiles on established health tech firms reveals both the progress made and the direction healthcare is moving.

Through collaboration and a focus on people’s needs, digital health solutions are evolving to be not only more effective but also more patient-centered.