Talking HealthTech

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Charles Lie from Healthscope, Cathy Ryan from Cabrini Health, and Dean Breckenridge from Ramsay Health Care about the hurdles private hospitals in Australia are dealing with. They dive into outdated coding rules, workforce shortages, and the hiccups in revenue cycle management. They also cover how AI and automation come into play, discuss policy and funding roadblocks, and share some handy tips for staying financially sustainable.This episode was recorded as a live session in partnership with InfoMedix, bringing together representatives from across Australia's digital health ecosystem, including private hospitals, vendors, consulting firms, and government bodies, highlighting a broad interest and engagement with the topics discussed.Key Takeaways:• Coding complexity is a real headache for hospital cash flow, highlighting the need for skilled coders and efficient systems.• Bringing AI and automation into healthcare isn't smooth sailing

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Dr Monica Trujillo, Chief Health and Risk Officer at Telstra Health; Rob Reynolds, Vice President of Clinical Reasoning at Smile Digital Health; and Dr Janice Tan, Clinical Director at Telstra Health. Together, they explore the significance of interoperability in healthcare, discussing how health information exchanges (HIEs) and emerging technology play a vital role in closing care gaps and improving patient outcomes across various healthcare settings.Key Takeaways:Interoperability is crucial for effective healthcare delivery, enabling clinicians to access and trust comprehensive patient data. Embracing standards like FHIR is pivotal for creating cohesive health information exchanges.- Clinical reasoning elevates data to provide more relevant insights to clinicians, aiding in informed decision-making. This, in combination with improved data accessibility, empowers both clinicians and patients.To ensure equitable health outcomes, addressing ca

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Lyndon Goddard and Dr Matthew Vickers from Eucalyptus about the evolution of the telehealth landscape in Australia over the past 12 months and the importance of regulatory standards in telehealth. This episode was recorded in the Eucalyptus studio.Key Takeaways:Evolution of Telehealth: The transition from asynchronous to synchronous telehealth models in response to new medical board guidelines has been a significant change, with positive feedback from practitioners and patients.Market Dynamics: The past year has seen a surge in telehealth clinics, especially those offering instant medical certificates and medical cannabis consultations. Regulatory scrutiny is increasing in these areas to ensure safety and compliance.AI in Telehealth: AI is gradually integrating into telehealth services, particularly clinical decision support and automation within digital health workflows.Call for Regulation: There is a strong need for standardised accreditati

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Nathan Moore speaks with Stefan Mazy, the CEO of DermR Health Solutions. They discuss DermR Health's innovative approach to diagnosing skin cancer through their DermR Patch technology. Stefan shares his personal motivation behind the technology and the journey of developing a solution to improve diagnostic accuracy while reducing the burden on healthcare systems worldwide.Key Takeaways:DermR Patch technology offers a novel approach to skin cancer diagnosis using a microsampling tool that can potentially reduce unnecessary biopsies, which is projected to save significant healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.The current global challenge with skin cancer diagnostics is the over-reliance on biopsies, with a significant percentage being unnecessary.The technology also addresses incorrect data classifications in skin cancer statistics, aiming to provide more accurate data for informed health decisions.The potential for nurses and other healthcare professionals to

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Steve Gomes, the Managing Director of Rauland Australia and New Zealand, about integrating digital health technologies in healthcare and aged care settings. They discuss the development of the Concentric Care Platform, collaboration with clinicians, and the evolution of technology to meet the needs of health professionals and patients.This episode was recorded at the Rauland offices in Sydney, Australia, providing an in-depth look at how technology is implemented in Australia and New Zealand healthcare and aged care sectors.Key Takeaways:Rauland focuses on engaging with clinicians early in the technology deployment process to ensure solutions meet their needs effectively.The Concentric Care Platform has been a key development by Rauland since 2017, emphasising integration with electronic medical records like the single digital patient record system.Rauland’s approach includes a quiet environment in hospitals, reducing noise by directing alert

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Alex MacLeod, the Director for Healthcare Solution Innovation at InterSystems, about the evolving landscape of Health Information Exchanges (HIEs). Pete and Alex explore how HIEs have developed over time, the practical use cases of these systems, and the lessons learned from global implementations, particularly in the US and Australia.Key Takeaways:Evolution of HIEs:HIEs have matured and often reinvented themselves, incorporating new use cases such as public health and AI to remain relevant and useful.Success Criteria:Effective HIEs provide early value through basic functionalities like real-time notifications and gradually layer on complex use cases, ensuring continuous utility and engagement.Engagement and Adoption:Early stakeholder engagement and inclusion of diverse perspectives from clinical and business sides are crucial for successful HIE implementation.Challenges in Measuring Impact: Quantifying the impact of HIEs on clinical outcomes

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Sophie Turner speaks with Whitney Luxford, who has extensive experience in aviation medicine and recently founded fit2fly. The discussion dives into Whitney’s career journey from paramedic to aviation medicine specialist and explores the innovations introduced by fit2fly to streamline the medical clearance process for airline passengers.Key Takeaways:Aviation Medicine Insights: Whitney shares her career journey, integrating her experience as a paramedic and her pivotal role in setting up a medical department for Virgin Australia.In-flight Medical Events: An overview of frequent in-flight medical events and their challenges, including costly diversions and emergency landings.fit2fly Solution: fit2fly aims to digitize and expedite the medical clearance process for airline passengers, significantly reducing approval times from weeks to minutes.Technological Integration: The platform leverages clinical algorithms and decision trees to provide immediate clearance, reduci

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Jason Potts and Jamie Robertson from Imprivata about their roles, the company's solutions, and the digital identity challenges in healthcare.This episode was recorded during Digital Health Week New Zealand 2024, hosted by HiNZ, and dives into how Imprivata is helping healthcare providers manage secure access to patient information across various settings.Key Takeaways• Imprivata's Core Function: Imprivata focuses on digital identity solutions, primarily offering a simple and secure way for healthcare professionals to access multiple applications using technologies like Tap and Go and multifactor authentication.• Global Application: The solution is implemented globally, from large hospital systems to smaller clinics and commercial environments such as banking and gaming.• Local Context: In Australia and New Zealand, Imprivata adapts its workflows to fit local healthcare systems, integrating large EMR systems and smaller platforms.• Passwordles

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Martyn Weir and Dr Kyle Hoath from Oqea about ADHD and mental health care through teamwork and innovative technology solutions. Key Takeaways: • Hybrid Care Model: Leveraging technology to offer patients flexibility in accessing care, such as seamlessly switching between face-to-face and telehealth appointments. • Technological Integration: Use of AI and other digital tools to streamline and enhance the diagnostic process for ADHD and other mental health conditions. • Collaborative Care: Importance of teamwork among different healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes, particularly in the mental health sector. • Access and Demand: Addressing the challenges around long wait times for ADHD services and improving efficiency through better organisation and resource management. • Role of Good Information: Providing patients with reliable, evidence-based resources to help them understand conditions and navigate the healthcare system. Check

In this episode of Consumer Health Partnerships, we speak with Anja Christoffersen, founder of Champion Health Agency, and Dr Adrienne Young, dietitian researcher at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, about co-designing a co-design framework for Metro North Health in Queensland. They delve deep into the need for a co-design framework to enhance patient nutrition and food experiences in hospitals. Anja and Adrienne share their journey of working together, the challenges they faced, and the significant impact of their collaborative efforts. They also touch upon the essential elements of building a successful collaboration between consumers and healthcare professionals to improve healthcare delivery. Key Takeaways: Understanding Co-Design: Co-design involves genuine partnerships and shared decision-making between consumers and healthcare professionals. Building Trust: Successful co-design projects are built on strong, trusting relationships

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Phil Baskerville, Digital Project Director for New Dunedin Hospital, Dan Owen, Director of Health at NTT DATA, and Rachel Wolfe, Chief Customer Officer at Five Faces.  They discuss integrating digital technologies in the new outpatient facility at Dunedin Hospital and the importance of building patient-centred and culturally inclusive healthcare solutions.  This episode was recorded during Digital Health Week NZ 2024, hosted by HiNZ. Key Takeaways: • Collaborative Approach: The project exemplifies the importance of collaboration among technology providers to create a seamless healthcare experience. • Scalable Infrastructure: Emphasis on building a repeatable and scalable digital infrastructure to support multiple hospital projects over the next decade. • Patient Experience: Innovations aimed at enhancing patient and clinician experience through technology, such as location-grade Wi-Fi for equipment tracking and user-friendly digital int

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Sophie Turner speaks with Andy Bond and Michael Strachan from Magentus about adopting open standards to ensure national usability of developed IP, the importance of interoperability, and enhancing collaborative care through sustainable practices. Key Takeaways: • Adopting open standards to address interoperability challenges, moving away from bespoke integrations. • Focus on enhancing collaboration between clinical endpoints, facilitated by FHIR Implementation Guides.

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, hosts Peter Birch, Nathan Moore, and Sophie Turner celebrate the milestone of the 500th episode. Reflecting on the podcast's journey from its beginnings to its plans for the future, the conversation dives into personal experiences, the evolution of health technology, and the importance of collaboration in the healthcare ecosystem. This discussion also touches on key topics such as AI, the role of digital health, and potential future directions for the podcast and the industry. Key Takeaways • Journey and Evolution of Talking HealthTech: The hosts reflect on the growth of the podcast, from Pete’s initial concept to the current production team and the collaboration with a diverse range of guests and co-hosts. • Personal Reflections: Each host shares their personal journey into health technology, highlighting the various paths and experiences that brought them to the current point. • Significance of Collaboration: The discussion emphasises the importance of collaborat

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Pat Wheaton, founder of Core Connect Group, and Elif Kücüktas, Specialist Advisor – Healthcare of Core Connect Group, about improving efficiencies in healthcare tasks, supporting frontline workers, and developing innovative healthcare products. Key Takeaways: • Progress in Technologies: Advancements in electronic medical records (EMR) and handheld tablets have been made, with opportunities to enrich clinical notes further. • Frontline Worker Focus: The importance of supporting frontline healthcare workers to make their jobs easier and more impactful is emphasised. • Innovation Framework: A structured framework for healthcare product and service innovation is developed to improve outcomes for patients and staff. • Collaboration Over Competition: Effective solutions in healthcare often come from collaboration between tech companies and clinicians, rather than independent problem-solving. Check out the episode and full show notes on the T

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, hosts Peter Birch and Rebecca McBeth speak with various leaders in digital health at the Digital Health Week NZ 2024 hosted by Health Informatics New Zealand (HiNZ). Guests include Scott Arrol, James Field, Charlene Tan-Smith, Dr Bryan Tan, Martin Chadwick, Lisa Knowles, Kate Tulp, Dr Kaveh Safavi, and Lara Hopley, covering the state and future of health technology in New Zealand amidst budget cuts and evolving digital landscapes. Key Takeaways: • Budget and Policy Changes: Exploring the federal budget cuts to technology and innovation in New Zealand healthcare and their implications. • Opportunities in HealthTech: Despite challenges, opportunities exist to thrive through collaboration and essential tech improvements. • Clinical Informatics and Allied Health: Highlighting the role of clinical informatics in patient management and cross-discipline collaboration. • Technology Integration and Workforce: Discussing how AI and new technologies can tackle workforce shor

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Dr Krystyna de Lange, Host of The Good GP Podcast; Dr Sean Stevens, Host of The Good GP Podcast; Chris Smeed, CEO of Cubiko; Paul Copeland, Partner - Business Advisory at William Buck Australia; George Sotiris, Director, HR In Health; and Dr Michael Wright, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) about a wide range of topics, including CPD integration, practice management, AI in healthcare, and future leadership in general practice.  This episode was recorded during GP24 in Perth, organised by the RACGP, covering the sector's innovations, technology, and sustainability. Key Takeaways: - Business and Financial Management: General practitioners are encouraged to deepen their understanding of business operations alongside clinical duties, focusing on leveraging software tools for financial and operational improvements. - Professional Development for GPs: Efforts through platforms like The Good GP Podcast aim

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Liz Ashall-Payne, Megan Robertson, and Christopher Bain about the latest developments in digital healthcare.  Recorded at the ANDHealth Digital Health Summit 2024 in Melbourne, Australia, the discussion explores system-based trust in healthcare technology, the transformative role of technological integrations in healthcare, regulation and policy challenges, and the future aspirations for digital health impact and accessibility. Key Takeaways:

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with a range of experts at HLTH 2024.  The discussions dive into various aspects of healthcare technology, virtual care, genetic sequencing, AI solutions, and the importance of demographic data in healthcare.  Featured guests include Monica Soni, Michelle Stephens, Dr. Noura Abul-Husn, Pano Anthos, Justin Mardjuki, and Mitesh Rao. This episode was recorded during the HLTH 24 event in Las Vegas and features a handful of the conversations that Talking HealthTech captured during the event. Key Takeaways

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Nathan Moore speaks with various guests, including Natalie Collard, Eimer Boyle, Kara Burns, Dreda Heard, Sarah Pearson, Lana Bell, Aimee Solomon, Kath Feely, Nirvana Luckraj, Katy Aish, Glynnis Aubrey, and Helen Cox about the Women in Digital Health Leadership Program run by the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH). The discussion revolves around the program’s impact, personal transformations, and professional growth in digital health. This episode was recorded during the celebration event for the 2024 cohort. Key Takeaways:Program Structure: Structured as a six-month blended learning experience, the program is designed to cultivate leadership capabilities tailored to the digital health domain.Benefits of the Leadership Program: The leadership program benefits new and experienced managers by creating valuable networking opportunities within the digital health sector.Positive Experiences and Empowerment: The program fosters empowerment and perso

Peter Birch from Talking HealthTech was in Melbourne, Australia, for the Oracle Health Collaboration Forum 2024, where he had the opportunity to connect with some of the key senior leaders at Oracle Health from Australia and around the world, as well as their customers and partners.In this feature episode of Talking HealthTech, we focus on those conversations with Oracle Health customers and partners, including Raelene Donovan, Acting Chief Clinical Information Officer at eHealth Queensland; Lily Liu, Divisional Director of Digital Health at Western Health; Josh Simmons, Director at Metro South Health; and Ricko Suryadinata and Shelby Jasper, Clinical EMR Analysts at Eastern Health. These discussions delve into the challenges and successes of implementing electronic medical records (EMRs) and digital solutions within diverse health services, providing a comprehensive look at how digital transformation is reshaping healthcare delivery in Australia.Key TakeawaysRaelene Donovan:Discusses the implementation of a