Sparked Bright Sparks: Mehmet Kavlakoglu

We spoke to Mehmet about his involvement in the Sparked Community, here’s what he had to say!

❓What is your background?

I am a digital health advisor with the Australian Digital Health Agency with a focus on promoting consumer centric care across the healthcare ecosystem.

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

The opportunity to engage with Sparked was through none other than Kate Ebrill herself who was looking to fill a panel with some experience of healthcare access in rural and regional settings. Achieving interoperability has been a passion project of mine for the longest time so needless to say I was keen to learn more about the initiative and get on board.

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

One of the biggest barriers to a successful and complete rollout of digital health technologies is aligning the inputs and outputs of different systems. The Sparked team has done an incredible job of bringing together individuals and organisations from varying backgrounds to reach alignment on what that universal language should be. In a short period of time, they have put their best foot forward and delivered key artefacts that form the foundation for digital health standards in Australia.

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

Sparked emphasises a bottom up and community driven approach but at the same time keeps decision makers accountable. 

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

That there is a lot of work to do so that we can have clinical personnel and technical personnel speaking the same language. If they can’t get it right, then what hope do consumers and patients have in understanding their health needs and playing an active role in achieving positive health outcomes. For this initiative and other initiatives that may follow, there needs to be mutual alignment across the sector.

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

Hands down the best part of participating in Sparked has been the community and in particular the vibrant energy that the Sparked team brings. Of course, a standout has been the FHIR and Sparked related soundtrack used at each workshop. Special mention to Kate and Tor for accommodating all music tastes.

❓ What excites you most about the future with Sparked?

I love data. Not the datasets specifically, but everything we can do with that data once it is in a usable and meaningful format. I am excited about the endless possibilities and data led insights we will have access to and be able to leverage in improving our current healthcare system to build a world leading digitally enabled future state of healthcare.

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

Sparked is a collection of, well, everyone who has a vested interest in health looking to ideate, design and develop digital health standards with the ultimate aim of promoting interoperability. Interoperability is how different systems can share information between them to ensure a seamless patient journey that benefits the consumer/patient, the healthcare provider but also in relieving pressure on the healthcare system.

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

If you want to be at the forefront of digital health, then this initiative is the place to be. It’s where the Sparked team have been able to bring together the right people to solve the right problems. Don’t miss out on understanding the why of today that will become the how of tomorrow.

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

Fast-paced, community driven and a lot of fun

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

I don’t know, that’s a hard one. These come to mind – The Final Countdown by Europe, Happy by Pharell Williams, Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake or Walking on Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves

❓ Describe Sparked using only emojis

😁💥🤯🔥🥵🌟😎💯