Sparked Bright Sparks: Jackie O’Connor

We spoke to Jackie about her involvement in the Sparked Community, here’s what she had to say!

❓What is your background?

My allied health clinical practice background is an Orthotist/Prosthetist. I became frustrated with inefficient systems whilst working clinically and moved into management then association policy and advocacy to try and fix things at a system level. Hence my now involvement with digital work, I see digital solutions as an opportunity to realise many of the efficiencies the health care system requires.

❓ How did you first hear about Sparked and what made you want to become involved?

I attended the two-day masterclass workshop at Informed Conference Sydney and the penny dropped that the standards work was the missing link to the allied health sectors digital program of work and a key enabler. The people delivering this masterclass were so generous with their assistance and sharing their knowledge, so inclusive and energetic that I immediately found ways to get involved.

❓ What do you see as the best outcomes that Sparked has delivered or is working towards?

The National Standards will obviously be amazing for efficient sharing of quality data in the future and help address many challenges the allied health sector face like the lack of workforce data, large scale research needs and reliable data on which to base policy reform.

Right now for our sector the best outcome has been the support provided to involve and upskill allied health professionals across the diverse range of professions AHPA represent to ensure allied health data is included within the standards as they are developed.

❓ How is Sparked different to projects you’ve been involved in before?

Sparked enables all health professionals irrelevant of professional background to contribute equally and are extremely transparent in providing reasons for prioritised areas of work.

❓ What is something you’ve learnt from being part of the Sparked community?

All about Standards and their benefits to practice! And that when clever, passionate people come together the momentum can drive the necessary work forward in a timely manner.

❓ Can you share one of your favourite or memorable moments from participating in Sparked?

When the GP’s in the room started asking for more allied health information to be included!

❓ What excites you most about the future with Sparked?

Undoubtedly the efficiencies for information sharing between professionals, consumers and their care teams that will be available once these standards are embedded within software systems. It will make it soooo much easier to get further with consumers each and every time you see them than you would without this information.

❓ What’s something unexpected that you’ve learnt/been a part of/connected with through Sparked?

How unusual it is to have a group of experts in a field who want to continually share their knowledge with newcomers to grow their community. It must be exhausting for the likes of Graham Grieves and Kate Ebrill after all this time, with all they and all they’re doing to keep starting again with people but they do it so willingly and energetically and it seems to me this is what enables the community to continue to grow and include all the right people.

❓ How would you explain Sparked to someone not yet involved?

Essential, focused, collaborative, inclusive, well connected and supported by key stakeholders.

❓ What piece of advice would you share to someone who may not yet be a part of Sparked?

The momentum is fast and you need to get on board now if your profession is not involved to ensure the clinical terminology you need to run an efficient practice is included. Who knows if this opportunity will ever be facilitated again?

❓ If you had to describe Sparked in three words, what would they be?

Essential, fast and focused.

❓ If Sparked had a theme song, what would it be?

Simply the best by Tina Turner or Girl on Fire

❓ Describe Sparked using only emojis

☺️🥳