Talking HealthTech

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dan Wijeratne from Modern Innovations about the evolving landscape of billing and operational efficiency in Australian primary care clinics.They discuss the recent and upcoming changes to Medicare bulk billing incentives, the challenges faced by general practices in adapting to shifting business models, and how tools like MyGPMPtool are helping clinics manage chronic disease care more effectively.The conversation also explores the broader impact of technology on patient experience and clinic sustainability. Listeners will learn how digital tools can streamline workflows, reduce administrative burdens, and support coordinated chronic disease management, allowing practices to deliver higher-quality care while maintaining financial viability. The discussion highlights practical strategies for both bulk billing and mixed billing clinics to adapt to policy changes and remain resilient in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.Key Takeaways🔄 The shift between bulk billing and mixed billing models is having a significant impact on clinic operations, influenced by new Medicare incentives and changing patient demographics.📝 Effective chronic disease management (CDM) relies heavily on operational efficiency and the adoption of digital tools to streamline care planning, eligibility tracking, and patient engagement.👩‍⚕️ Clinics are facing challenges in workforce adaptation, particularly in redistributing CDM-related workflows between nurses and GPs as expectations and demands increase.⏱️ Simple digital process improvements, such as removing paperwork and automating reminders, can result in substantial time and cost savings for clinics.📈 Modern Innovations is developing new CRM and AI features within MyGPMPtool to further support practice efficiency, patient engagement, and care continuity, including upcoming modules for aged care and advanced patient segmentation.Timestamps:00:00:00 – Introduction and overview of MyGPMP tool with Dan Wijeratne00:00:43 – Differences between acute and chronic disease management in general practice00:01:54 – Understanding Medicare item numbers and billing for CDM services00:03:04 – Changes to CDM workflows post-1 July and impacts on GPs00:05:22 – How technology addresses administrative burdens and inefficiencies in care planning00:07:05 – Key features of MyGPMP tool and use of AI for workflow optimisation00:08:44 – The benefits of streamlined CDM processes for patient outcomes00:10:24 – Importance of collaborative, cloud-based solutions for multidisciplinary care00:11:21 – Current priorities and opportunities for GPs in 2025, and market trends00:13:30 – The future of healthcare technology, CRM systems, and patient engagementCheck out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information, visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Ben Hurst, CEO of HotDoc, about evolving patient engagement, clinic efficiency, compliance burdens, and the future of hybrid healthcare delivery in Australia.The conversation explores how HotDoc supports GPs and medical centres with digital tools to automate administrative processes, balance regulatory changes, offer flexible work arrangements, and improve access to care for patients in an increasingly virtual environment.The discussion also highlights the growing pressures on general practice, including workforce shortages, rising patient demand, and competition from virtual-only providers and digital health apps.Listeners will gain insight into how clinics can leverage technology to streamline workflows, capture patient information more effectively, and deliver personalised care, all while supporting doctors in managing burnout and maintaining work-life balance.This episode offers practical perspectives for GPs, practice managers, and healthtech innovators looking to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of primary care.Key Takeaways🩺 The burden of compliance and administrative changes, such as payroll regulations and MyMedicare requirements, creates significant process challenges for GP clinics.⚙️ Automating tasks like recalls, reminders, and bulk-billing consent can improve efficiency and free up time for doctors to focus on clinical care.🌐 The rise of virtual healthcare and online consults is changing patient expectations, with convenience and accessibility taking priority, leading clinics to adapt with solutions like asynchronous quick consults and telehealth on demand.👨‍⚕️ Flexibility for doctors, including hybrid and virtual care models, is crucial to address burnout and ensure sustainable practice amid an impending GP shortage.🔍 Capturing patient intent, matching them with specialised providers, and leveraging technology to serve up relevant information are opportunities for further innovation in patient care pathways.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction and HotDoc’s mission01:04 – 13 years of HotDoc and supporting GPs with administration02:11 – Patient engagement and streamlining workflows03:32 – Compliance challenges: MyMedicare, assignment of benefit04:38 – GP clinic operations and shifting processes06:00 – Impact of regulatory changes on clinic efficiency08:00 – Competition from virtual providers and patient expectations10:03 – Quick consults, asynchronous care, and responding to convenience demands14:05 – GP workforce shortages, burnout, and capacity challenges16:42 – Flexibility in GP work patterns and reducing burnout18:53 – Benefits of virtual care for information capture20:08 – Personalised intent-based patient matching and technology’s role24:06 – Clinics’ priorities for 2025: automation, differentiation, sub-specialisation, and hybrid-care models27:47 – Closing thoughts and future priorities for HotDocCheck out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information, visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with a line-up of innovators, founders and CEOs participating in the ANDHealth Digital and Connected Health Commercialisation Showcase and the ANDHealth Plus Programme.Recorded at the event in Canberra, this episode highlights successes from Australian digital health companies and explores topics surrounding commercialisation, global expansion, regulatory hurdles, funding models, and lessons learned from building scalable healthtech solutions.This episode was recorded at the ANDHealth Digital and Connected Health Commercialisation Showcase in Canberra, celebrating milestone achievements for the participant companies in the ANDHealth Plus Programme, as well as the 10th anniversary of the Medical Research Future Fund.Key Takeaways🎤 The importance of collaboration and building global networks for healthtech commercialisation.🚀 Scaling digital health innovations internationally requires adapting to local markets and understanding cultural nuances.💡 Knowing your funding, payment, and commercialisation models is crucial for successfully bringing products to market.🧑‍⚕️ Listening to clinicians and end-users, rather than presuming their needs, drives effective product uptake.🛠 Regulatory approval, such as TGA registrations and clinical validation, remain significant steps for healthtech companies.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction and event background: ANDHealth Plus Programme and MRFF anniversary00:30 – Sanji Kanaglingam on WeGuide’s expansion, scalability, and digital biomarkers03:08 – Simon Green discusses Immunosis, diagnostics for immune deficiency, and commercialisation06:31 – Carolyn Mee from Soundscouts: Funding, regulatory milestones, and sector expansion10:42 – Tina Campbell on Healthily’s approach to patient education and voice AI for engagement15:16 – Arthur Shih explains Humanetix’s clinical decision support and lessons from aged care19:07 – Dr James Waldie of Cape Bionics: Translating space sciences into compression garments24:24 – John Wright shares about Metabolic Health Solutions: Device-to-software integration and market focus27:22 – Fiona Hammond - Perx Health provides updates on Perx Health’s gamification tech and cognitive decline solutions30:30 – Bronwyn Le Grice - CEO, ANDHealth on commercialisation, digital health sector growth, and ecosystem priorities34:03 – Episode wrap up and call to actionCheck out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Raymond Wen, Chief Growth Officer and Medical Director for Primary Care Services at Telecare Australia, about the evolution of telehealth, challenges in delivering virtual care, and Telecare's unique approach to technology-enabled healthcare service delivery.Check this episode out to gain insights into how virtual care is transforming access for rural and regional communities, from mental health support to specialist consultations.The conversation explores practical strategies for workforce flexibility, process automation, and co-designed service models, showing how Telecare combines clinical expertise and innovative technology to improve safety, efficiency, and patient outcomes across Australia.Key Takeaways🌏 Telehealth in Australia addresses the challenges of providing quality specialist care to rural and remote populations, leveraging virtual consultations and remote technology.🩺 Around 30–50% of clinical scenarios can be safely and effectively managed through telehealth, increasing access without compromising care quality.🔗 Co-designing new models of virtual care with stakeholders enables healthcare organisations to balance risk, optimise workflows, and support community needs when traditional service provision is under strain.💻 Telecare developed its own technology solutions, including a mobile native e-script platform and healthcare process automation tools, to solve practical issues in care delivery and staff optimisation.💡 The future of virtual care involves continued innovation in automation and integration, focusing first on solving “boring” admin and engagement challenges before fully harnessing AI potential.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction and overview of Telecare’s background02:33 – Telecare's role and services in Australian healthcare04:40 – The impact and evolution of telehealth for rural communities06:14 – Types of care best suited for telehealth and what Telecare does10:41 – Risk assessment and co-design in developing new care models13:23 – Building technology versus using market solutions; motivations and outcomes17:35 – Service enablement, process automation, and operational efficiency20:23 – Telecare’s acquisition by Teladoc and implications for future growth22:14 – The future of telehealth/virtual care and the role of AI24:43 – Final thoughts and episode wrap-upCheck out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information, visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Josh Ayscough, Utiliti Group Partner, about investment in healthtech, navigating innovation in healthcare, and the different approaches to scaling health technology businesses in Australia and globally.They explore Josh Ayscough's background, the investment focus at Utiliti Group, and how founders can effectively pitch their healthtech solutions to investors and customers.The conversation also delves into the shift towards consumer-centric healthcare, the practical applications of AI, and the importance of building interdisciplinary teams.Listeners will gain insight into the challenges of funding, regulation, and scaling in the Australian health tech ecosystem, as well as strategies for forming partnerships and driving meaningful impact.This episode offers a comprehensive look at what it takes to innovate and succeed in a complex, evolving industry.Key Takeaways🧑‍💼 Founder-market fit is critical: Investors look for founders who deeply understand the problem they’re solving, ideally with sector experience or a strong advisory board.💸 Demonstrating clear patient or sector benefit is a priority for healthtech investors, not just the commercial proposition.🌏 Australia’s healthtech ecosystem is strong but highly regulated, compared to the “guardrails-off” landscape in markets like the US.🤖 AI isn’t mandatory for healthtech success, but founders need to articulate their position on AI and its relevance for their solution.🔗 Early-stage healthtech solutions should nail a core problem first, then build strategic partnerships to enhance growth, scaling globally is not always necessary, and local impact can also be a meaningful goal.Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Greg McDavitt, physician executive and director of healthcare industry strategy at ServiceNow, and Andrew Dome, Chief Digital Information Officer at Uniting New South Wales Act, about the "hidden tax" on healthcare.The discussion examines the non-financial burdens that affect efficiency and patient care, and how technology can help reduce administrative overhead.It also looks at the emerging role of artificial intelligence in streamlining workflows across healthcare organisations.The episode explores the practical challenges facing care providers and examines how technology can improve outcomes for both staff and patients.Key Takeaways🚀 The "hidden tax" in healthcare refers to the unrecognised administrative tasks that consume clinicians’ and care workers’ time, impacting their ability to focus on direct patient care.📱 Leveraging mobile tools and voice-to-text technology can save valuable minutes per day for frontline staff, enhancing both efficiency and quality of care.🤖 Technology is not always the solution; digitising poor processes can create more friction, but AI and better-designed systems hold the promise of fundamentally changing or removing burdensome workflows.🧑‍💼 A successful tech transition requires buy-in across all levels, from frontline workers to boards, and must be business-driven rather than solely led by IT.🔄 The adoption and role of artificial intelligence in healthcare is evolving rapidly; organisations must continuously review use cases, ethical boundaries, and investment rationale to harness AI effectively and responsibly.Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

Jason Ward, co-founder and CEO of EQL, discusses the innovative ways digital health is transforming musculoskeletal care. He shares insights into EQL's mission to enhance access through tech-driven solutions, tackling challenges in funding and rural access between Australia and the UK. Jason reveals impressive pilot results showcasing a 14:1 ROI, while also emphasizing the importance of blending human clinicians with technology. Looking ahead, he examines the role of AI in ensuring equitable access to care in underserved communities.

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Mecaela Couper, specialist solution consultant for healthcare, Colby Rook, senior account executive for healthcare, and Dr Greg McDavitt, physician executive and director for healthcare, all from ServiceNow.The discussion covers the role of artificial intelligence and technology in reducing administrative burden for clinicians, improving patient outcomes, and optimising workflows within the healthcare sector.The episode explores the intersection of digital transformation and the unique human elements that are central to effective healthcare delivery, based on insights from both clinical and technology backgrounds.Key Takeaways💡 The critical importance of freeing clinicians from administrative tasks to allow more time for patient care and improving outcomes.🖥️ Effective digital transformation in healthcare is often "invisible" to the patient, improving systems and processes behind the scenes rather than at the point of care.🤝 Co-designing technology solutions with frontline clinicians and gathering feedback ensures tools are genuinely useful and easy to adopt in practice.🔒 Implementing strong governance and risk management around AI tools is vital, including controlling access and monitoring data privacy.🔄 Transformation efforts should be holistic, considering impacts across the whole healthcare ecosystem, from frontline staff to back-office operations and the broader continuum of care.Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Ramya Raman, Rafiah Ansari, Andrew Aho, and Farhoud Salimi about the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in digital health.Topics covered include clinical governance, digital health ethics, women’s health data, interoperability, AI, connected care, and the importance of partnerships across healthcare and technology.This episode was recorded during HIC 2025, hosted by the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH) in Melbourne.It features conversations captured in the Digital Health Studio throughout the event, covering panels, keynotes, and interview sessions with innovators and leaders from across the healthcare technology space.Key Takeaways✨ Clinical governance, ethics, and research translation are critical for driving sustainable digital health innovation🌏 Global perspectives (UK, Canada, US) offer lessons for local implementations in Australia🧑‍⚕️ Women’s health data has historical biases; femtech and digital health can help address gaps for diverse populations🔗 Connected care depends on interoperability, collaboration, and data standards to support clinicians and improve patient outcomes🤖 Artificial intelligence and unified data platforms are expanding capabilities but require strong privacy, governance, and clinician involvementCheck out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it.Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information, visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Steve Lewis, founder of Nabu, about his personal journey into health tech, the creation of Nabu, and the challenges of coordinating complex healthcare for patients with special needs.Steve shares how his own experiences caring for his daughter Bowie inspired him to develop tools that help patients, families, and support workers better manage the demands of the healthcare system.They cover the realities of patient navigation, the role of digital tools in improving outcomes, and the importance of human collaboration alongside technology.Key Takeaways🧩 Lived experience shapes innovation: Steve’s journey as a parent navigating paediatric and intensive care environments drove the creation of Nabu, aiming to bridge gaps he faced first-hand in the healthcare system.📲 Practical patient empowerment: Nabu focuses on helping patients and families easily coordinate appointments, medications, and care plans without overwhelming them or relying solely on electronic health records.🔄 Communication and collaboration matter: The app streamlines sharing critical information with family members, support workers, and professionals, reducing the risks of missed details and improving overall continuity of care.🛡️ Safety in support: Features verifying support worker credentials and making handovers simpler are emphasised to mitigate risks for vulnerable patients.🌏 Piloting for impact: The next steps for Nabu involves coordinated pilot programs with providers in Australia and overseas, to quantify its effect on health outcomes and demonstrate support for patients, families, and clinicians.Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus